Randolph Community College Magazine - Summer 2015

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Summer 2015 | Magazine

Jerry Wolford: Life Behind the Lens

In this issue:

Alumni Features Liberty, NC New Programs And more...

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RANDOLPH C O M M U N I T Y

C O L L E G E Magazine

CONTENTS President’s Message............................................................. 4 Seriously Awesome......................................................... 5-12 EPIC News........................................................................13-18 Across Campus...............................................................19-24 Cover Story..................................................................... 25-26 The RCC Foundation.................................................... 27-34 Alumni News.................................................................35-40

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Board of Trustees F. Mac Sherrill, Chairman Fred E. Meredith, Vice Chairman James M. Campbell Jr. Taylor A. Coble Natasha D. Dowdy John M. Freeze J. Harold Holmes

Lillian B. Jordan Jorge A. Lagueruela T. Reynolds Lisk Jr. Curt J. Lorimer Cynthia G. Schroder R. Andrews Sykes

 www.randolph.edu  www.facebook.com/RandolphCommunityCollege  www.linkedin/edu/school?id=32471  @RandolphCC

Information: (336) 633-0200 Alumni Relations: (336) 633-1118 Public Relations: (336) 633-0208

Magazine Staff

Shelley Greene, Managing Editor Cathy Hefferin, Editor

Contributing Writers W. Clark Adams Felicia Barlow Cathy Beeson Kelly Heath C. Ryan Knight Erin Mizzelle Isaí Robledo Lorie McCroskey Dan Whittaker Jordan Willis

Design & Production Felicia Barlow Lisa Hughes Kris Julian

Photography by

Cathy Hefferin Lisa Hughes Kris Julian Lorie McCroskey Guest photographer credits provided in articles.

On the Cover: RCC alumnus & News & Record staff photojournalist Jerry Wolford is photographed on N. Elm St. in Greensboro. (photo by Rob Brown) Inside cover: Brothers Reily DeLacruz, 7, right, and Christian DeLacruz, 6, play with lightsabers as they become bored with the drive-in movie. Documented on Friday, July 25, 2014, in Eden, N.C. (photo by Jerry Wolford)

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As I meet and talk with people in my role as president of Randolph Community College, I am often asked about my favorite part of the job. A hard question to answer indeed as there are so many things about the role that I enjoy and treasure, and, as for anyone, there are difficult parts of the job, too.

I have to say the one thing I do as president that always replenishes and sustains me is meeting and talking to our students or hearing from our students via letter or email. I keep a binder on my desk of student correspondence, and, if I am feeling in need of a jolt of energy, all I have to do is open that binder and read some of the letters or emails I have gotten to remind me why I am here and why we do what we do here at the College.

In addition to that correspondence, the face-to-face time I have with students is always enlightening and energizing.

Twice a year, we have an event called “Snack with Dr. Shack,” an informal get-together time in our café when students can sit down with me and talk about whatever they would like.

I also enjoy getting to meet students from across the county who apply to be a Presidential Scholar and visit our campus for a special day of activities in March each year, with pictures of our 2015 event in this issue. Once a student becomes a Scholar, I meet with them individually at least once a semester while they are here with us and also meet with them as a group, and I can’t tell you the number of times after one of those meetings that I have thought, “Wow, what a great discussion or what great feedback they gave me.”

Every student on our campus attends a college success class, and I am fortunate to be able to speak at all those sessions to tell them my story. Attending events featuring the work of our students is always a pleasure, such as the excellent work done by our photography students for the A Day in the Life of Liberty project, also detailed in this issue. Just walking between appointments on campus, students come up to me and tell me how they are—one even played a song for me on her ukulele in the Coffee Exchange the other day.

These examples just touch on some of the student contact I am so fortunate to have. We have a lot to tell you about our students and the work of the College in this issue of our magazine, and, if you want to get to know us better, we’d love to show you our campus and tell you about our programs.

Perhaps we could even create opportunities and change a life for you, someone you know, a friend, or a family member!

Just get in touch…we are YOUR college!!

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S E R I O U S LY AW E S O M E

CutChase to the

Cosmetology Student Wins Scholarship, Named Dallas Herring Nominee

By Cathy Hefferin Jennifer Matney of Franklinville says she always knew she wanted to be a cosmetologist. She had planned to attend a trade school in her hometown of Syracuse, N.Y., then her family moved to North Carolina, and she finished high school at Southwestern Randolph.

Jennifer was RCC’s nominee to the statewide Dallas Herring Achievement Award in 2015.

“The beauty industry was always a passion of mine,” said Jennifer. But after moving to North Carolina, she decided to wait a year to begin beauty school. “That year turned into 16 years. A marriage, children and a few dead-end careers later, my husband and I decided it was time for me to go to school.”

Jennifer, 35, worked as a bank teller for about 10 years, then as an apparel sales representative. She hadn’t given up on her cosmetology dream, “but I had to wait for my son to be old enough not to need child care,” she said, “and until I was financially able to do it and not work so I could concentrate on school.”

Jennifer said she was riding down the road one day and saw the sign for RCC’s new Cosmetology Center, which opened in fall 2009. “When I saw that sign, I got that feeling in my stomach…it’s the right time. There is no way I could have traveled outside of Randolph County to go to school.”

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“Randolph Community College was an amazing experience full of many personal and professional achievements,” said Jennifer. “The first hair competition I entered won first place for the photography portion. I made President’s List all four semesters I was enrolled. I won a $1,000 national scholarship from Matrix. I was offered several jobs before I finished the Cosmetology program.”

Jennifer obtained her Cosmetology license several months ago and started working while completing her associate in applied science degree. She graduated in May and is working as a hair stylist for Kenneth Taylor Salon in Randleman.

Robin Coble, department head of RCC’s Cosmetology program, said, “I have had the privilege of teaching and watching Jennifer grow as a student and a person. She has always been the most helpful student in the class. She manages to excel in all areas of training and is always eager to learn more. She is a very well-rounded person and strives to do the best she can in all areas of her life. In my eyes, she is the epitome of the perfect student.”

Jennifer says she identifies with Dallas Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.” She noted, “I have come to realize that a college education is crucial to the success of any career…Although I started later in life than I had hoped, this journey has been challenging, rewarding and a necessary step to ensure I will always have a wonderful and promising career.”

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Duke Energy Awards Allow RCC to Upgrade Training Equipment

By Cathy Hefferin

Thanks to a $242,540 grant from Duke Energy last fall, Randolph Community College has been able to purchase and install a Charmilles Cut-20P and Form 20 CNC EDM machine, plus provide training for RCC instructors with a certified applications engineer from Charmilles. These machines are used in RCC’s Computer-Integrated Machining curriculum.

According to Garret Parker, department head for ComputerIntegrated Machining at RCC, second-year students were introduced to the machines in the spring semester “and we are currently incorporating the new technology into our entire program so every student will have the opportunity to utilize them.”

The purchase of this equipment was recommended by RCC’s advisory board, which identified numerous industries in the area that have CNC EDM technology along with a tremendous need for qualified persons to run and maintain this equipment.

Sinker EDM, which will further expand their knowledge and better prepare them to enter the advanced manufacturing field.”

“By developing the local workforce, our partnership with Randolph Community College will help attract and retain businesses in the region for years to come,” said Dave Phillips, Duke Energy’s district manager, when the check was presented last fall.

This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $6.7 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Since 2004, Duke Energy has awarded $15 million in grants to 24 community colleges within the Duke Energy Carolinas service area. This new $6.7 million investment also includes community colleges located in the Duke Energy Progress service area.

The Duke Energy Community College Grant Program has provided $975,605 in support to RCC since 2006, including support for the purchase of computer and numerical control training simulators in 2006, welding equipment for the welding lab in Archdale in 2010, and the industrial automation mobile classroom in 2011.

“Both pieces of equipment will provide training opportunities using the latest CNC EDM technology. This technology is directly related to several business and industry partners we work with who have recommended for us to train future students and current employees using EDM machines.” Parker continued that RCC wishes to continue the advancement of its program’s accreditation with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). “With this new technology, we are now able to offer students the ability to work on and earn additional NIMS credentials in Wire and randolph.edu | 6

Jake’s Journey

S E R I O U S LY AW E S O M E

Photo by Erin Mizelle

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Jake Hunsucker - One Student’s Successful Journey at RCC and Beyond

By C. Ryan Knight Randolph Community College suffers no shortage of outstanding students. These stellar students perform with excellence but conduct themselves with the quiet dignity characteristic of Randolph county residents.

It was my great privilege and honor to teach one such extraordinary student: Jake Hunsucker of Trinity. Jake yearns to learn and applies himself to each class, regardless of how relevant it seems to his future career in nursing.

I remember Jake more outside of class than inside. In class, Jake kept quiet and intently took notes. Outside of class, however, Jake’s character steadily revealed itself.

He oftentimes stopped by during office hours for help.

Throughout his studies, Jake remained meek and humble. Behind these traits, though, I saw his strength and willpower take root. Jake sharpened his knowledge and his character in class and while participating in RCC’s Student Leadership Academy, a cohort of top students chosen to develop their leadership abilities throughout an academic year.

Jake graduated from RCC in May 2014, and we miss him.

He has gone on to do terrific work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is making swift progress toward becoming a nurse. Jake says RCC was a “springboard” that helped him “transition from a small high school to a large college campus.”

“RCC gave me a foundation for handling my workload and resources to utilize,” Jake said. He says the people at RCC were what made his experience so great. Based on his experience at RCC, Jake plans to express concern for patients the same way RCC staff and faculty express concern for students.

I am so fortunate to have started my career at RCC, where the College’s mission is to create opportunities and change lives. We are not the only ones who accomplish this mission, though. Students like Jake create their own opportunities and change their own lives through hard work and perseverance during their time at RCC. So many times, we simply need to give students like Jake the tools they need to succeed, and then we need to get out of the way so they can achieve more than anyone knew they could.

Dr. Robert Shackleford, president of RCC, often tells students, “You are the reason we do what we do.” I am glad to have done whatever I could for Jake, and I know he will continue to accomplish great things.

RCC gave me a foundation for handling my workload...

Photo by Jesse Fath

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S E R I O U S LY AW E S O M E

U.S. Army Cpl. Brad Graves kneels while providing security, as the 401st Military Police Company walks through the village of Udkheyl, Logar province, Afghanistan, on July 7, 2010.

(DoD photo by Spc. De’Yonte Mosley, U.S. Army/Released)

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A Life of Service The government says we’re grown at the age of 18. But let’s be real, how many of us are REALLY mature enough at that age to call ourselves grown? Not many, but there are a chosen few. One of those is Brad Graves.

Brad grew up in Randolph County and graduated from Southwestern Randolph High School in 2006. As soon as he turned his tassel, he went straight into the U.S. Army to become a military police officer.

Photo by Joshua Komer

By Felicia Barlow

“I had set my goals at an early age that I would serve, and nothing could deter me,” he said. In less than a year, Brad shipped out for his first deployment. He was only 18. For the next 15 months, he helped train Iraqi police officers in Baghdad.

Once that tour was over, Brad came home for about a year. On March 20, 2010, he got married. Just a couple of weeks later, he left for his second deployment. This one would change his life forever.

On September 2, 2010, Brad was hit by an improvised explosive device or IED. He had just stood up from a kneeling position when the attack happened. That small detail is important because at 6’5’’, Brad’s head was spared being hit by shrapnel. His left arm, however, was not. The injuries were so severe that he now has no feeling in it from nerve damage.

As bad as that is, Brad knows it could have been much worse.

“You’re never promised any amount of time on this earth, so I try to make the most of each day,” he said.

Brad is no longer in the military, but he still saves lives as a trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. He says his father, a retired trooper, was certainly an inspiration for this career choice.

“I knew growing up watching how my father and other troopers conducted themselves that I wanted to eventually follow in their footsteps,” he said.

Brad says his father also inspired him to become a student right here at Randolph Community College. His father, Robert Graves, is the director of safety and emergency preparedness for the College.

Brad says it doesn’t hurt that RCC is in his home county either!

He is currently enrolled in the Associate in Arts (College Transfer) program with a goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in history.

Eventually, he hopes that degree will help him move up within the Highway Patrol.

Brad and his wife, Erin, are still happily married and live in Randleman with their ‘four-legged’ child, Oakley. She’s a fullblooded, 120-pound, Great Dane. Brad affectionately calls her a “gentle giant.”

U.S. Army Cpl. Brad Graves provides security in a wheat field in the village of Alowsi in Afghanistan July 6, 2010, as his unit conducts a dismounted patrol through the village. Graves was assigned to the 401st Military Police (MP) Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade.

(DoD photo Spc. De’Yonte Mosley, U.S. Army/Released)

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S E R I O U S LY AW E S O M E Photo by Erin Mizelle

Give Me

Liberty...

RCC Photo Students Complete FirstEver “Small Town” Documentary

By Erin Mizzelle Randolph Community College’s Department of Photographic Technology, in collaboration with the town of Liberty, presented a gallery showing at the Liberty Public Library in February featuring the work of a week-long documentary project entitled “Small Town, Liberty.”

“The gallery display in the local library highlighted the photographs that captured the heart of Liberty and worked together in telling its story,” says O’Leary. “The RCC photojournalism students have poured their hearts and efforts into sharing the story of Liberty.”

The students also produced a print-on-demand photo book of their project. It is available at http://blur.by/1C3zhq8.

Each year, the Photojournalism graduating class will focus on one small town in North Carolina to document for an entire week. In 2015, the class visited Liberty, N.C., during the week of Feb. 16 through Feb. 22. The students completed the project even though winter weather closed the RCC campus for several days that week.

The first ever “Small Town, North Carolina” documentary is a collaborative photography project that includes work from 13 RCC photojournalism students as they spent seven days exploring the town of Liberty and the people who call it home.

“The students took on the challenge of documenting a week of Liberty by researching stories and connecting with a family, business, organization, or small community and creating a more in-depth story,” said instructor Abbi O’Leary.

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Photo by Erin Mizelle

Photo by Cate Gordon

Photo by Caleb Smallwood

Photo by Cate Gordon

Photo by Seth Combs

Photo by Carol Simchik

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Human Services Technology* The Human Services Technology curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in institutions and agencies that provide social, community, and educational services. Along with core courses, students take courses that prepare them for specialization in specific human service areas.

Students will take courses from a variety of disciplines.

Emphasis in core courses is placed on development of relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes in human services. Fieldwork experience will provide opportunities for application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.

Graduates should qualify for positions in mental health, child care, family services, social services, rehabilitation, correction, and educational agencies. Graduates choosing to continue their education may select from a variety of transfer programs at senior public and private institutions.

The job outlook in the human services industry is growing in North Carolina and increasing even more nationwide, according to the College Foundation of North Carolina. The annual growth rate is estimated to be 13% in the state and over 21% in the nation. In fact, four of the top seven fastestgrowing occupations are human services-related jobs.

The average annual wage in North Carolina is $27,640 and the national earning average is $31,280. Of course, those levels go up as the educational level increases—many graduates of this program go on to earn their bachelor’s degrees and eventually their master’s degrees, with some salaries topping $60,000. *Pending SACSCOC approval.

Human Services Department Head Ready for Students Scott A. Smith of Albemarle has been hired to head up RCC’s new Human Services Technology curriculum. He began work on June 1 and has been hard at work recruiting for the program.

Smith earned a Bachelor of Religious Education degree from Piedmont Bible College, then completed his M.Ed. in Guidance/Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Smith was previously Human Services program head at Stanly Community College, where he taught for 17 years.

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He has been very active in industry, serving as vice president for two years and president for five years of the North Carolina Organization for Human Services (NCOHS), as well as serving as the state representative to the Southern Organization for Human Services (SOHS) for 13 years.

Smith just accepted the position of vice president for SOHS. He has presented at three SOHS conferences and was the conference coordinator and keynote speaker for the 2011 NCOHS conference and a co-presenter for the 2013 NCOHS conference.

Photo by Tim Rossland

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Computer Technology Integration The current Computer Information Technology and Networking Technology degrees are being phased out. “The new program will offer students expanded opportunities in emerging fields within information technology,” said Steve Baltes, department head for computer technology programs at RCC. The addition of the Cyber Security Specialist track represents an area not covered by RCC’s computer courses in the past.

The Computer Technology Integration curriculum prepares graduates for employment as designers, testers, support technicians, administrators, developers, or programmers with organizations that use computers to design, process, manage, and communicate information, depending on the technical path selected within this curriculum.

Course work includes development of a student’s ability to communicate and solve technical issues related to information support and services, interactive media, network systems, programming and software development, and other emerging technologies based on the selected area of study.

Graduates should qualify for employment in entry-level positions with businesses, educational systems, and governmental

agencies that rely on computer systems to design and manage information. The program will incorporate the competencies of industry-recognized certification exams.

All three specialties continue to be in high demand, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

The average annual job openings (due to growth and net replacement) for computer support specialists was projected to grow by 20% nationally and 18% in North Carolina between 2012 and 2022. Systems administration job openings are projected to grow by 12% (both state and nationally). And the projected growth for information security analysts was even higher—37% nationally and 40% in North Carolina.

Salary levels for the occupations are strong. North Carolina data shows the 2013 median salary for computer support specialists was $46,700; network administrators, $73,500; and security analysts, $84,900. (The majority of those with these salaries have obtained educational levels of bachelor’s degrees or above.

Graduates with associate degrees in entry-level positions should expect more modest salaries.) randolph.edu | 14

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Photos provided by Cathy Beeson

Smooth

SEELC Grant Update

By Cathy Beeson

In September of 2013, Randolph Community College was awarded over $1.725 million from the U.S. Department of Labor as a member of a multi-state consortium of community colleges intended to serve as leaders in integrating a regional economic, workforce development and education partnership approach to improving the skills and employment of individuals. The grant money is part of an Obama administration initiative to expand demand-driven skills training and strengthen employer partnerships.

Randolph Community College and Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson are the only two North Carolina colleges in the Southeastern Economic and Education Leadership Consortium (SEELC), which is led by Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tenn. Other colleges in the group are Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tenn., Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Fla., and Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla. The six colleges in the SEELC were specifically chosen to represent economic and demographic location diversity, and all reside in states whose governors and community leaders are working together to further economic and workforce systems change.

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(Photo by Cate Gordon)

The SEELC Grant is a part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program, a multiyear, nearly $2 billion initiative to expand targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade, according to a news release from the United States Department of Labor. The grants will expand programs in growing industries, such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, and encourage geographic and industry sector collaboration through the development of both statewide and multistate college consortia.

The SEELC grant staff from the participating colleges meets quarterly to discuss progress of the grant and share best practices. RCC hosted the SEELC group in September of 2014 (pictured above) and recently traveled to Palm Beach, Fla., for the January meeting. RCC began enrolling participants in the fall of 2014 and currently has 121 grant participants involved in the program, some of whom graduated in May of 2015.

The grant staff have conducted various workshops, including resume writing and mock interviews and hosted a Job Fair on April 8. The grant focuses on students working toward degrees, diplomas and certificates from the Welding Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, and Computer-Integrated Machining programs.

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C L E aS S E The grant has three primary strategies:

Strategy 1: Develop National Standards-Based Career Pathway Opportunities This includes developing curriculum and credentials aligned to national industry standards and competencies with support from AWS and NIMS. RCC is NIMS Level 1 credentialed, and we are credentialed for AWS SENSE level Entry Welder. This also includes hiring new full-time faculty and adjuncts with experience in industry in order to increase capacity for courses tied to national industry competencies and credentials. We will also recruit and enroll program participants, conduct WorkKeys assessments and develop work-based learning opportunities.

Strategy 2: Develop Ongoing Career Support and Post-Program Assessment of Competencies This includes hiring a recruitment, retention and completion coach at each college, developing program intake procedures, and establishing job placement and retention strategies. We will collect participant data, prepare DOL Quarterly Reports, and track outcomes data for each participant. We also installed REAL WELD trainers at institutions, and we will conduct EWI training and engage employers in customized training opportunities.

Strategy 3: Develop Regional Collaborative to Address Worker Skill Needs As part of this strategy, we will create regional collaborative relationships with Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), Economic Development Agencies and employers. We will identify employer engagement unified strategies between community colleges, WIBs and Economic Development Agencies, and conduct collaborative outreach. We will align pathways with employer needs and develop new partnerships.

All of these strategies are supported by over $346,000 in grant funds spent on new equipment to assist with capacity and technology needs. This equipment is used by grant program participants to gain hands-on practice to attain skills required for a specific industry recognized credential. The equipment purchased was selected with the consultation of industry partners to replicate workplace environments similar to what students will find in advanced manufacturing workplaces. The new equipment is also technology based with simulation software enabling us to provide hybrid courses where the students will do the classroom/lecture portion on-line and attend labs on campus.

The grant also covers grant management personnel that includes the project manager (Cathy Beeson), outcomes and data specialist (Marissa Cogburn), and recruiting, retention, completion coach (Miranda Lane).

Equipment purchased through the grant includes (left to right) Industrial Controls Skills Assessment tools, a bend test machine for weld testing, a HAAS VF-2 CNC Machining Center, a Real Weld Trainer, a RoboCell for automation and robotics, a Torchmate CNC Plasma Table Cutter, Learning Lab Trainers and Cardsets used for industrial controls, communications, and instrumentation, and a 3D industrial printer.

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A Credit Accreditation Accomplished!

By Cathy Hefferin During the 2014-2015 school year, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) awarded initial accreditation to the Medical Assisting associate degree program at Randolph Community College’s Archdale Center. RCC added the program to its curriculum offerings in fall 2011. The initial accreditation is effective until Sept. 30, 2019, when RCC’s program will go through a reaccreditation process.

“Medical assisting is a fairly new program for us, and we have been pleased with the strong enrollment and the response from the community,” said Dr. Robert Shackleford, RCC president. “This accreditation gives us a stamp of approval that endorses the quality of the program and is a big plus for our students as they enter the workforce.”

Photos provided by Kia Vang

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Anne Hockett, RCC vice president for instructional services, said, “We are so excited that our Medical Assisting program’s quality has been verified as having substantially met the national standards associated with an excellent program! Our program accreditation is symbolic of the quality education in which our students are engaged, and ultimately the quality of care a graduate will deliver as a professional.”

to Our College In addition to the recognition of the quality of RCC’s program, Kia Vang, Medical Assisting department head, said the accreditation means RCC Medical Assisting graduates are eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants. This certification is recognized nationwide, so students who move from state to state do not have to become recertified. The accreditation standards are established by CAAHEP, MAERB, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and the American Medical Association (AMA).

additional students are enrolled and on track to graduate in 2016, and RCC has met the full capacity of 24 students for fall 2015. RCC added a second Medical Assisting instructor, Melinda Morgan, last summer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Students who graduated prior to the program becoming CAAHEP or ABHES accredited are eligible for the certification exam and must apply to take the exam within three years.

Students have five years from the date they graduate from an accredited program to sit for the national exam.

RCC’s Medical Assisting program has shown steady growth since its introduction. Three classes have graduated with a total of 23 students. Another 22

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Photos by Carol Simchik

That’s a Promise

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A C R O S S

C A M P U S

Opportunities Through Career & College Promise

By Isaí Robledo The Career & College Promise program at Randolph Community College offers high school students the opportunity to get a head start on their careers. Through this program, students are dually enrolled at their high schools and at RCC and are able to take classes that count towards a degree at RCC or at a university. Students have two college transfer pathways and 18 different career and technical pathways from which to choose. The best part about these opportunities is that students are able to gauge their interest in different fields entirely tuition free!

The beauty of this program is that students are able to “test drive” different college majors while still in high school. This program also helps expedite their time from enrollment to graduation, which means students are able to enter the workforce that much sooner.

Jesus Ruiz, a senior at Providence Grove High School, was able to complete a certificate in Automotive Systems Technology during his junior year and is working on completing a certificate in Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology. This sort of accomplishment is unique and commendable for someone that young to be able to accomplish so much already. “I’ve always had a passion for working on cars, but never knew how to do the complicated repairs,” said Ruiz. “With the knowledge I gained at RCC, I learned how to do things I never thought I could.”

Jimmy Baltazar, a senior at Randleman High School, also completed two college certificates before graduating high school. “RCC gave me a chance to pursue my career while I was still in high school through the Career & College Promise program,” he said. “Now I’m graduating with two certificates and thanks to this program, I have the opportunity to continue on with my education.”

Baltazar will be enrolling in RCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program after high school and will have almost a year’s worth of courses completed before graduating high school.

These young men are just two examples of how much this program can help benefit students and families.

Career and College Promise students Troy Miller (red shirt) of Providence Grove High School and Tayro Rodriguez of Randleman High School.

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Student Government Association Rocks!

Randolph Community College has a very active Student Government Association, advised by Shane Bryson, student activities coordinator. Most days during the school year, you’ll find two or more SGA officers huddled in Shane’s office in the Student Services Center planning the next event.

One of the more popular events sponsored by the SGA is “Snack with Dr. Shack,” in which RCC President Bob Shackleford spends time in the Armadillo Café with students talking about whatever topic they want to discuss. “We get a lot of positive feedback on the Snack with Dr. Shack events,” said Bryson. “It’s not everyday that students can just sit down with their college president and talk to him about anything they want. The students love him and he really enjoys being able to get more personal with them. It’s a bonding experience.”

The SGA also sponsors the fall and spring flings—afternoons of free food, games, and fun with a theme. In fall 2014, the theme was “Armadillo Horror Story,” and “Carnival” was chosen for spring 2015.

Other events include Popcorn Days, U.S. Constitution Day, Club Day, and a holiday party. The SGA also gives back to the community by holding canned food drives and blood drives for the American Red Cross.

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Photo by Austin Rich

by Association Photo by Justin Dunivant

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C A M P U S

Photo by Jessica Martin

Goin’ to the Chapel...

Photography Students Hear Chime of Wedding Bells

By W. Clark Adams

On January 23, 1968, an advisory committee of industrialists, businessmen, and educators from both technical institutes and universities met at Randolph Community College, then known as Randolph Technical Institute. This committee gave tentative approval to move forward with planning two new programs in the art and design technology department, following the success of the Interior Design program, which was launched in 1967. One of these new programs was Photography, with its first classes being offered in September 1968.

In the late 1970s, as the program began to evolve, a number of concentrations were added in order to provide students with a greater degree of specialization. One of these concentrations was Portrait Studio Management; and in 1978, Sam Bogosian was hired as the lead instructor for this concentration. Shortly after Bogosian was hired, he developed a Mock Wedding project for his students, which has since become a tradition in the Photography program.

Bob Heist, who taught Photography at RCC from 1969 until he retired in 2000 and also served as department chair, recently explained that through the years, students in the Floral Design department at RCC also helped with the project by helping to produce bouquets. Photography students who were in the first year of the program were used as members of the wedding party. A local Baptist church was originally used to stage the project, but within a few years, the project shifted to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Asheboro.

Greg Stewart, retired Photography instructor and department chair, who worked at RCC from 1981-2011, noted that the project “helps to demystify wedding ceremonies for the students.”

After Bogosian left RCC in 1993, Toby Hardister was hired in 1994 and continued the Mock Wedding project.

In 2002, Ashley Fetner, a 1979 graduate of Randolph Technical Institute, was hired to teach the Portrait Studio Management courses. In a recent interview, Fetner made it clear that, “It is not uncommon to put 35 to 40 hours in a wedding from initial consultation to delivery of the wedding album.” Fetner, who was a student in the program when the first Mock Weddings took place stressed “the importance of photographing weddings and to get it right the first time because you can’t re-photograph a wedding. If you don’t do a good job on a portrait, you can redo it but you cannot redo a wedding.”

Erin Arsenault, a 2007 graduate of RCC’s Photography program, was hired Photo by Robert Chou

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this course with wedding images and an album sample in hand. Prospective clients expect to see a photographer’s work prior to trusting the photographer with the job of capturing the images and moments from one of the most important days of their lives.” Students also develop their interpersonal communication skills, which are essential for wedding and portrait photographers.

Forty-seven years ago, a two-year Photography curriculum was established at Randolph Technical Institute and was the first program of its kind in North Carolina. Forty-seven years later, it continues to attract students from across the country largely due to its stellar reputation and because of the skills and training that it provides to students through many activities such as the Mock Wedding project.

Photo by Robert Chou

to replace Fetner upon his retirement in 2011. Arsenault still teaches the Mock Wedding project as part of the PHO 210: Professional Wedding Photography course and believes that after 35+ years, it still has a great deal of instructional value. However, according to Arsenault, the project would not be possible without the support of the RCC Foundation and the Photography Challenge Fund, as well as other instructors in the department such as Kevin Eames.

According to Arsenault, “The Mock Wedding is as close to “real-life” as you can get. Many get that first wedding under their belt and their first taste of the pressure of a wedding day.”

This type of practical application is what makes the Photography program so popular and is what has enabled it to be such a vital program at RCC. Arsenault continues to stage the project because, “The students are given the opportunity to experience the wedding photography workflow from the location check to delivery of a product (the wedding album) as they would for a real wedding client.

They learn not only how to photograph the wedding but they also work through the many hours of the postproduction involved in wedding photography. Each student edits his or her images and designs and submits a wedding album and a slideshow. A huge benefit to students is that they complete

Photo by Kevin Glaser

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The Wolf of Main Photo by Tom Lassiter

RCC Grad Makes Impression Nationally

By Cathy Hefferin One look through his portfolio and you know you’ve found something special. Randolph Community College photography graduate Jerry Wolford said when he was a teenager, he used to fish for bass in a pond near his house. “It was just an old farm pond but I was a catch-and-release fisherman,” Wolford reminisced. “I kept some to eat, but mostly threw the bass, which were my target, back into the pond.” So to prove what a great fisherman he was, he used to photograph the fish.

From there, he gravitated to photographing his friends. He wound up working on his high school newspaper, and a friend taught him to process and print film while he was on the yearbook staff.

Since graduating from the photography program at (what was then) Randolph Technical College, Wolford has won dozens of awards in his jobs, first as a photographer for eight months for The Courier-Tribune and then for 28 years as a multimedia photojournalist for the News & Record in Greensboro.

In March of this year, Wolford reached a pinnacle in his career.

He won the National Press Photographers Association 2015 Photojournalist of the Year for Smaller Markets. The contest is open to photographers around the world.

Wolford, who has an infectious smile and an easy way with people, said it was “like being in some strange dream where you could do no wrong.” He was at the North Carolina Press Photographers Association Annual Meeting and Photographer of the Year Contest in Charlotte in late February, which was held in conjunction with the Southern Short Course, an annual photojournalism conference.

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He had won the NCPPA cumulative clip contest (for the fourth time), a goal he says he sets for himself every year, and the NCPPA Photographer of the Year portfolio contest (also for the fourth time) and Sports Photographer of the year. About the same time, he won the Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year (Daily Newspaper) award from the North Carolina Press Photographers Association (for the second time).

“I was taking a nap (at the hotel) and my friend Scott Muthersbaugh came beating on the door and said I was named the Short Course Photographer of the Year,” he said. Although it’s called the Southern Short Course, it is also a worldwide competition.

Just a few weeks later, a friend texted him and said he had been watching the National Press Photographers Award judging online and Wolford had won the National Photojournalist of the Year award. “I didn’t know anything official for a couple of weeks,” he said. “The caliber of people I was judged against was crazy. I was competing with photographers from the entire globe. I placed ahead of someone from Madrid, Spain, and another guy from Portugal, not to mention the great USA shooters.”

The National POY award is divided into two categories—Large Markets and Small Markets. Wolford won for Smaller Markets, but it is worth noting that the Large Markets winner, Jahi Chikwendiu of The Washington Post, was also a competitor in the Southern Short Course POY contest—which Wolford won.

Given all the accolades, Wolford is refreshingly modest. “When you have a winning portfolio in a year with competition of that caliber, it is not just because of you…Photography is so dependent on being in the midst of great stories and people. You don’t do this all by yourself. My friend and great writer Jeri Rowe was integral to putting me where I needed to be as I documented several of his

Street

Photos by Jerry Wolford

life stories during our years together. With Jeri and me it was very symbiotic. I was driven to create what I hoped would be amazing work as a part of that team. I would want to make strong and powerful images to honor his work, and he would write stories that embraced my photos and we created something greater than the sum of our individual work. It is the most fulfilling feeling I have ever known as a journalist.

“Just as important as working with great writers, you need a great visual coach; a great photo editor pushes you, motivates you and makes your vision and your work better in an exponential way,” he continued. “Rob Brown (former N&R director of photography) and Scott Muthersbaugh seemed to alternate at fulfilling those roles for my winning portfolio. So it really takes a special support team and a lot of luck. I know I will never work with a team that talented again.”

He also gives credit to the citizens of Greensboro. “Greensboro is a special and gracious city,” he said. “When you have access to people living their lives, day in and day out and they allow you in—that’s the birthplace of great images.”

Wolford said he doesn’t seek great photo assignments. “Give someone else the good assignments,” he said. “My talent is being able to find great photos in average environments. I love the challenge of the hunt.”

Wolford said he benefited from the technical environment at Randolph Community College. “My education here (at RCC) is, without a doubt, a key component in this,” he said. “I was prepared for the change to digital. I knew the physics of light and color. You can’t fathom the evolution I have gone through from film to digital. RCC allowed me to migrate through all that change.”

Wolford lives in Randleman with his high school sweetheart and wife, Joyce, who is director of foundation operations at

Randolph Community College. Their daughter, Brooke, recently was accepted into a prestigious genetics doctoral program at the University of Michigan.

In his free time, Wolford likes to mountain bike and play soccer in his front yard with his Shetland Sheepdog, Paisley. He is also a closet banjo player. But does he still fish? “I want to do more fishing when I retire,” he says with a laugh. “I have years to fish when my camera is too heavy to pick up. I am sure the fish won’t be.” randolph.edu | 26

Photo by Marcella Storie

Message from the RCC Development Director One of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make since coming to work at RCC was moving from Student Services to the RCC Foundation. I knew I would love working in the Foundation, but I really enjoyed helping our students begin their education here on our campus. I love building relationships with our students, and learning about their families, their history, and their dreams. I was concerned that I may not have as much contact with students, and that was one of my favorite things about my job.

Erin Mizelle

Lorie McCroskey

Foundation Staff Shelley W. Greene Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement 336-633-0174 | swgreene@randolph.edu Lorie M. McCroskey Director of Development 336-633-1118 | llmccroskey@randolph.edu Selina L. Moore Development Specialist

336-633-0296 | slmoore@randolph.edu Joyce B. Wolford Executive Director, RCC Foundation 336-633-0295 | jbwolford@randolph.edu www.randolphccfoundation.org www.facebook.com/randolphccfoundation www.facebook.com/RandolphCC.alumni

Foundation Board of Directors Elizabeth H. Aldridge Steven E. Eblin Betty F. Foust Vickie H. Gallimore James G. Gouty Neal Griffin III Dr. J.B. Griffith III Baxter Hammer Ann M. Hoover Elbert Lassiter 27|randolphccfoundation.org

Curt J. Lorimer Nicki McKenzie Waymon Martin Daffie H. Garris Dr. Cynthia G. Schroder H. Dean Sexton Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr. F. Mac Sherrill Mini Singh

Now that I am two years into my new position, I realize that my worry was unfounded. Not only am I still able to work with students, I have also found a whole new group of RCC supporters with whom I have enjoyed meeting and working.

Building relationships with our supporters and our many great volunteers has been one of the highlights of my career.

I love hearing why they have chosen to be a part of our RCC family. We could not do what we do for our students without the help and support of these people.

We are also blessed to have an excellent Foundation Board of Directors and RCC Board of Trustees. Both groups are some of the most dedicated volunteers that I have ever been privileged to know. They are quick to jump in and help, they always give excellent advice, and they are so supportive. Just like our students, each person who I meet through the Foundation has a great story behind why he or she wants to help.

Speaking of students, I still have been able to spend a great deal of time working with them. We have a top-notch group of Presidential Scholars who work very closely with the Foundation on several projects throughout the year. I am also able to work with others while working with the Foundation on projects and events. But the best thing is those occasions when I can bring the two groups together. The students are quick to volunteer to help us when they know they will have the opportunity to meet some of the people that are responsible for helping with their education. As they speak to groups, write thank-you notes or make calls to supporters, they are all genuinely appreciative of the generosity shown by the community.

I often say that I wish everyone who has given anything to the RCC Foundation could sit in our building for a week and realize the impact they have on our students’ lives. It is so humbling to be a part of such a great place and feel the love and support of so many great people. I have never been more positive that I made the right decision two years ago.

Lorie McCroskey Director of Development

Photo by Erin Arsenault

RCC FOUNDATION

Meet Our Presidential Scholars

By Kelly Heath

The fourth annual Presidential Scholars Day was held at RCC on March 3. This special event is held each year for selected applicants to the RCC Foundation’s Presidential Scholars program.

While on campus, the students participate in a round robin interview process, take a campus tour, and visit an RCC class.

From this process, a select number of students are invited back for a second interview with RCC President Robert S. Shackleford, who chooses the five finalists.

The five Presidential Scholars receive a $2,500 scholarship for their first year of study ($1,250 for fall and $1,250 for spring) that is renewable for their second year of study. The students also have the opportunity to participate in RCC’s prestigious Student Leadership Academy, serve as Ambassadors for the College, and meet regularly with President Shackleford.

Chosen for the 2015-2016 school year were Cole Douglas Monroe of Trinity High School, Lily Marie Burgess of Providence Grove High School, Hannah Denise Freeman of Faith Christian School, Kirsten Faith Stovall of Providence Grove High School, and Polly Savannah Van Ausdall of Trinity High School (pictured above, left to right).

Cole Monroe will attend RCC as a College Transfer student. He was a member of the Trinity High School tennis team and also served with the Trinity High School Student Council. He was a member of the high school’s marching band for two years and has also been an active troupe member with the Trinity High School Thespians.

Lily Burgess of Climax intends to pursue a College Transfer degree at RCC. She served as her school’s vice president with the Student Government Association and served on the principal’s advisory team. She was a member of the Beta Club and was the editor for the senior yearbook. She was also co-leader of the school’s pep squad and was a basketball player for Providence Grove.

Hannah Freeman of Asheboro has dreams of being an interior designer and will enroll in RCC’s Interior Design program. She was a member of the National Honor Society at Faith Christian and also played volleyball, serving as team captain. She has volunteered as a computer technician at Pleasant Ridge Christian Church and also served in the school’s community service program.

Kirsten Stovall lives in Liberty and plans to pursue a College Transfer degree with intent to go into business or accounting. She was a cheerleader for one year and also was inducted into the Beta Club. She was also a member of the Tri-M Music Honors Society at her high school and participated in musical theater.

Polly Van Ausdall is from Trinity and also plans to pursue a College Transfer degree. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher. She has been a swimmer for four years at her school, was a member of the Beta Club, and has volunteered at Hopewell Elementary School for two years. She has also been a cheerleader.

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Retirees Celebrated at RCC

TRIED

Sixteen Randolph Community College retirees, including retired President Larry Linker, returned to the RCC Campus on Friday, May 1, for the second annual Retiree Luncheon hosted by the RCC Foundation. Threatening weather kept the event indoors in the Foundation Conference Center, but the group enjoyed good food and fellowship. The retirees were joined by several members of the RCC Foundation Board of Directors and were welcomed by RCC President Robert Shackleford.

In addition to Dr. Linker, those attending were Bill Baldwin, Lucille Barrington, Amy Brantley, Wanda Brown, Debbie Christenberry, Bonnie Columbia, Ashley Fetner, Betsy Kinney, Glenda Martin, Frances McGee, Marie Miller, Betty Peoples, Arlene Phillips, Mildred Sawyer, and Dot Snyder.

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From left are Cameron Maddox, Derrick Kidd, Richard Petty, Dylan Brooks, Rebecca Petty Moffitt, and Troy Miller.

RCC FOUNDATION

TRUE BLUE Inaugural Lynda Petty Scholarships Awarded

The Randolph Community College Foundation has announced five recent Randolph County high school graduates who will receive the Lynda Petty Scholarship for 2015. Dylan Michael Brooks of Wheatmore High School, Jeremiah Austin Echerd of Randleman High School, Derrick Cecil Kidd of Eastern Randolph High School, Cameron Michael Maddox of Trinity High School, and Troy Nathan Miller of Providence Grove High School will each receive $1,000 scholarships to attend RCC for the 2015-2016 school year.

The Lynda Petty Scholarship was established by The Petty Family Foundation in January 2015 to benefit Randolph County high school seniors who plan to enroll in an Industrial, Engineering & Transportation Division program at Randolph Community College. At the time, Petty’s daughter, Rebecca Moffitt, said “Our mom was very active in public education, and sat on the school board for 16 years. We knew that she would have wanted us to give back to our county schools.”

The selection committee was comprised of representatives of Randolph County Schools, RCC, and The Petty Family Foundation.

Dylan Brooks of Trinity plans to enroll in RCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program, with the long-term goal of becoming involved in areas of green technologies and hybrid engine design. At Wheatmore, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America for 3.5 years, and he worked at the Barn Loft Western Store. He played soccer with the Archdale Parks and Recreation Department and was involved in football, basketball and cross country in middle school. He is the son of Rocky and Debbie Brooks.

in the auto racing industry. In high school, he was involved in wrestling, the JROTC, the Adopt a Highway program, and the Sign Club. He also worked as a media assistant. He is the son of Gerald Echerd and Amanda Hall.

Derrick Kidd of Bennett also plans to study Automotive Systems Technology at RCC. He has been interested in motors and fixing things since an early age. At Eastern Randolph, Kidd was involved in the JROTC and worked several part-time jobs as a maintenance worker for Wal-Mart, a chicken breeder, and a heating and air conditioning company. Derrick is the son of Randy and April Kidd.

Cameron Maddox of Archdale plans to major in Welding Technology at RCC. In high school, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, was enrolled in Trinity’s agricultural mechanics courses, and participated in the welding program for high school students through RCC. He also worked part time at Lowes Foods. Maddox is the son of Amy Loflin.

Troy Miller of Asheboro plans to study Mechatronics Engineering Technology at RCC with the goal of creating and developing machines and technology that could help bring jobs back to Randolph County. At Providence Grove, Miller was involved in the Future Farmers of America, the Beta Club, and served as vice president and president of SkillsUSA. Miller won several academic awards in masonry and automotive. He has already completed several automotive courses at RCC through the Career & College Promise program, while also working part time for Mitch’s Lawn Care and working with the kitchen staff at Camp Caraway. He is the son of Wayne and Suzette Miller.

Jeremiah Echerd of Sophia (not pictured) is interested in both the Automotive Systems and Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology programs at RCC with a goal of becoming involved randolphccfoundation.org | 30

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T H E

F O RCC U N FOUNDATION D A T I O N Photos by Erin Mizelle and Marcella Storie

MEET the

Stars...

Work on the 2015 Dancing with the Randolph Stars started long before the May 30 event date, even long before the Meet the Stars event held at The Exchange Banquet and Meeting Hall on Jan. 25. It is a nearly yearlong planning process begun by the Planning Committee and the Foundation staff not long after the previous years’ event.

When the dancers for the 2015 event were introduced in January, 18 couples were announced, but as had happened in years past, injuries and other life events intervened to whittle the number down to 15 couples by showtime on May 30.

The 2015 Dancing with the Randolph Stars roster included Ashley Duggins, a pharmacist at Prevo Drug, and Chris Clark, vice president for global sales operations at Technimark; Kelly Vuncannon, curriculum support instructor/lead teacher at Tabernacle Elementary School, and Tyler Lisk, a student at RCC; Sammie Joe Baltes, instructional assistant at Guy B. Teachey Elementary School and a student at East Carolina University, and Brad McBride, a student at Greensboro College; Laurine Concutelli Varner, a lab technician at LabCorp, and Daniel Johnston, owner of Daniel Johnston Pottery; Stacy Griffin, human resources director for the City of Asheboro, and Robert Graves, director of safety and emergency preparedness at RCC; Dare Spicer, executive

director for the Randolph County Family Crisis Center, and Eddie Burks, owner of The Burks Agency; Bia Rich, chef/ owner at Bia’s Gourmet Hardware, and Christian Morgan, on-air personality and traffic manager for Dick Broadcasting, 107.5 KZL/Rock 92; Jenny Parks, administrator for the Randolph Soil and Water Office, and Eddie Cockman, assistant chief of fire prevention and public education for Asheboro Fire Department; Roxanne Taylor, Title I parent coordinator for Randolph County Schools, and Zac Beane, associate agent/vice president at Nationwide Insurance-Art Martinez Agency; Aggie Ingold, business manager and CFO at Sunwalt Dental Works, and Todd Campbell, vice president of sales and director of merchandising for Fairmont Designs; Bert Stone, mayor of Archdale, and Abed Hassan, operator of the Archdale Biscuitville; Nita Bobo, owner of Nita’s Boutique, and Charlie Swiers, insurance agent with Insurance Associates of the Triad; Nancy Cox, owner of Dish’n Paint Your Own Pottery Studio, and Taylor Callicutt, attorney at Hayes Law Firm; Kelly Heath, special assistant to the RCC president, and Kris Julian, RCC director of marketing; and Martha White, executive administrative assistant at Klaussner Home Furnishings, and Gary Jarrett, retired educator.

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RCC FOUNDATION Photos by Greg Stewart

And Watch Them Shine.

Aggie Ingold and Todd Campbell received the most votes and were named the champions of the Randolph Community College Foundation’s Dancing with the Randolph Stars fundraiser held on May 30 at AVS Catering & Banquet Centre.

They performed a routine to “Time” by Edwin Starr. In addition, they were awarded the Sponsors’ Choice trophies for Best Costume, chosen by the Constellation Sponsor, Klaussner Home Furnishings.

The event raised just over $161,000, according to Ann Hoover and Vickie Gallimore, co-chairs of the Planning Committee, who announced the totals before a sold-out crowd.

After expenses are paid, it is estimated the Foundation will net over $116,000 for scholarships, benefiting around 155 Randolph Community College students, said Hoover.

The 2014 fundraiser raised over $166,000 for student scholarships, and the previous four years combined raised a total of nearly $500,000.

Laurine Concutelli Varner and Daniel Johnston picked up the Judges’ Choice trophies. RCC staff couple Kelly Heath and Kris Julian won the People’s Choice Award, which was determined by audience applause.

The money raised included a combination of $10 votes for the dancers during the night of the event; pre-event voting received by the Foundation; sponsorships from various Randolph County businesses, industries and individuals; and ticket sales.

Lane Ragsdale served as director of the show for his fifth year.

WKXR Radio personality Larry Reid served as emcee for the evening for the sixth year. The judges were Dr. J.B. Griffith III, financial planner with Liberty Advisors; John Revell, plant manager at Oliver Rubber Company; and Dr. Cindy Schroder, retired deputy superintendent for Randolph County Schools. All three judges were former DWRS dancers.

All of the dancers, judges, entertainers, and emcee volunteered their time to the event, as well as the large number of dedicated community volunteers who served on the Planning Committee.

In addition to co-chairs Gallimore and Hoover, Dean Sexton served as the Sponsorship Committee chairman; Gail McDowell and Cindy Schroder were Dancer Committee co-chairs; Lisa Huffman was Hospitality Committee chair. Other committee members were Pat Allred, Talmadge Baker, Gail Crawford, Jane Crisco, Jim Culberson, Claire Davis, Natasha Dowdy, Rhonda Eblin, Dr. Stuart Fountain, Dr. J.B. Griffith III, Kathy Homiller, Bill Hoover, Cranford Knott, Elbert Lassiter, Reynolds Lisk, Curt Lorimer, Susan Milner, Nicki McKenzie, Fred Meredith, Rob Reese, and Mac Sherrill.

1.) Ashley Duggins & Chris Clark 2.) Kelly Vuncannon & Tyler Lisk 3.) Sammie Joe Baltes & Brad McBride 4.) Laurine Concutelli Varner & Daniel Johnston 5.) Stacy Griffin & Robert Graves 6.) Dare Spicer & Eddie Burks 7.) Bia Rich & Christian Morgan 8.) Jenny Parks & Eddie Cockman 9.) Roxanne Taylor & Zac Beane 10.) Aggie Ingold & Todd Campbell 11.) Bert Stone & Abed Hassan 12.) Nita Bobo & Charlie Swiers 13.) Nancy Cox & Taylor Callicutt 14.) Kelly Heath & Kris Julian 15.) Martha White & Gary Jarrett

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TWISTED A L U M N I

N E W S

Photos and Story by Dan Whittaker, Class of 2014

“I had heard amazing things about RCC’s photography department from friends, and after taking a tour and reading reviews, I became convinced that this is where I needed to go.

A part of the program that captivated me was the internship, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was going to intern in the midwest with a storm photographer.

I attended the school for the first year and a half, and took thousands of photos and made huge improvements through the help of my expert teachers. I became trained and ready to photograph any situation, and it was now time to attend my first internship. A year and a half of consideration landed me in touch with one of my favorite photographers named Jason Weingart from Texas. He stood out to me as an incredible photographer and social media expert.

The common thread that really drew me toward Jason was his passion for chasing and photographing storms. His extraordinary work had captured the attention of BBC, and by the time I arrived to Texas in March, he had a BBC lightning research probe ready to tow behind his car. I had already been chasing storms for 6 years, so together we planned to tow the probe across the U.S. in search of the biggest storms, as well as search out tornadoes.

We spent our days waking up looking at weather maps and staying in contact, and then meeting up to take our vehicles and lightning probe to wherever weather was the most extreme. One day took us 800 miles from Texas all the way into Nebraska for a day of very powerful tornadic storms. One thing was promised, a day of spectacular views, followed by lessons on editing and submitting video for the news. When the skies were calm, we searched out wildflowers, milkyway viewing areas, and cityscapes.

We accomplished many feats, and we both photographed some of the most amazing storms we have ever seen.

Thanks to Jason, I was able to put the skills I learned from RCC to practice, and I learned a lot about photography, and myself.

Putting 30,000 miles on my vehicle proved worthwhile, and traveling across the U.S. in search of storms taught me a lot about the terrain I live on, and the beautiful connection between land and people.”

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Photo by Hazel Nelson

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A L U M N I

N E W S

Maxine Wright To Protect & Serve Wright Passes Love of Learning to Next Generation of Law Enforcement

By Jordan Willis Over the past 53 years, many exceptional people have graduated from Randolph Community College. Maxine Wright, a former lieutenant of the Asheboro City Police Department and an active member of the Asheboro community, is one of those people.

Wright graduated from RCC in 2010 with an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology. This degree was not necessary for her career, though: Wright served as a city police officer for almost 29 years overall, and had been serving for over 20 years when she began the program. It was her love of learning that motivated her to return to school, as well as her desire to complete the Criminal Justice degree she started before she became an officer.

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Wright teaches Basic Law Enforcement Training classes at RCC, where she helps future police officers understand how to perform their jobs with efficiency and empathy. She started the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) class on campus, which teaches people how to react appropriately to situations involving mental illness and domestic violence.

“I have to teach people empathy, but I also have to teach them to be safe,” Wright says. “I think finding that balance is probably the most important thing for students I’m involved with.”

After a long and illustrious career in law enforcement, Wright retired in February. She plans to continue volunteering with the Asheboro Police Explorers and other organizations, including RCC. First and foremost, however, she plans to “continue teaching for as long as the College will allow!”

Maxine Wright has protected, encouraged, and taught the citizens of Randolph County for years. Thanks to her passion for teaching and her genuine love for people, current and future officers are learning how to protect themselves while protecting their community.

When asked for a closing statement, Wright responded: “I want people to know just how important Randolph Community College is to me. It’s like my second home. The school has done so much good for the community, and I’m proud to serve in any way I can.”

Photo by Erik Buxton

Stephen Smith Fast & Furious RCC Grad Finds Dream at Petty’s Garage

By Jordan Willis Randolph Community College is in the business of turning hardworking people’s dreams into fruitful realities. Just ask Robert Smith: Shortly after he graduated in 2012 with his associate degree in Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology and a diploma in Autobody Repair, he began working at Petty’s Garage in Level Cross.

“The College got my foot in a lot of doors that I probably never would have gotten into. It got me into my job at Petty’s Garage,” said Smith. “With my RCC education, I was able to do anything they needed done, and that helped a lot.”

In 2012 Smith, three classmates, and Danny Moore— department head for Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology—participated in SkillsUSA’s statewide competition.

Smith won second place in structural damage. “I learned a lot from that competition, and I’m really glad Danny took us,” Smith added. “It was a lot of fun, and I learned so much from it.”

Smith is also an instructor for RCC’s Continuing Education auto body classes. He tries to make his class as applicable to students as possible by often allowing them to work on their own vehicles. If the students are more interested in a specific area of the class, he works to blend what students need to know for their diplomas with what they are most passionate about learning.

For future automotive students, Smith offers this advice: “Don’t be scared of anything that’s going on. Come in with an open mind and be ready to learn—but don’t think you already know everything, either. To get the full effect of your education, all you need is a healthy sense of confidence and the willingness to put in some honest work.”

Smith’s future plans are to teach as much as he possibly can at the College and continue learning more about his trade.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing students have that ‘ah-hah!’ moment when solving a problem. I’m so thankful to be a part of that process.” randolphccfoundation.org | 38

A L U M N I

A B R O A D

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Our graduates have certainly taken their education to new heights! From Germany to New York and even Cinderella’s castle, RCC alumni show their ‘Armadillo Pride’ across the globe. Some have moved on from the heart of North Carolina, while others simply enjoy embracing new adventures.

Just remember that no matter where you land in life, you will always have a home at Randolph Community College.

x

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c

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y Andrea Cavallier (Class of 2004) - New York City x Anna Potthoff (Class of 2012) - Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany c Brian McPherson (Class of 1995) with son Ewan & daughter Rylie Kitty Hawk, N.C. v Josh Brown (Class of 2007) - Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. b Glenn White (Class of 1987 & 2013) with (l-r) wife Holly, daughter Hallie & daughter Emily - Orlando, Fla. n Charlotte Welsh (Class of 2004) with son Daniel - Philadelphia, Pa. m Jenny Booe (Class of 1995) with Elvis impersonators - Las Vegas, Nev. randolphccfoundation.org| 40

Randolph Community College & RCC Foundation 629 Industrial Park Avenue Asheboro, NC 27205

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This photo of the Milky Way arcing above an abandoned farm outside the former railroad town of Bartlett, Texas, by Randolph Community College Photojournalism graduate Dan Whitaker was featured as the National Geographic Photo of the Day in April 2015. Dan graduated with the Class of 2014.

Randolph Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Randolph Community College. The College is authorized by the State Board of Community Colleges to award the Associate in Applied Science degree, the Associate in Arts degree, and the Associate in Science degree. 2,500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $5,721.29 EOE.