PDCCC 40th Anniversary Special

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The Tidewater News

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Paul D

. Camp Community

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Decades of higher education

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THE TIDEWATER NEWS / SUFFOLK NEWS-HERALD

PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

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pdccc 40th anniversary

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THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

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Greetings from PDCCC president

BY PAUL WM. CONCO

Greetings! My, how time flies.

This semester Paul D. Camp Community College is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving students and this community.

I know how individuals like to be 39 over and over again, but PDCCC is anxious to move on to another exciting decade.

The University of Richmond was established in 1830, and so, is a little older than our community college. I mention the University of Richmond because it was one of the educational institutions our very own Paul D. Camp donated funds to in the late 1800s.

P.D., as he was often called, valued the opportunity education can create and made sure all of his eight children benefited from higher education institutions. So how fitting it was that two of Paul D. Camp’s daughters – Willie A. Younts and Ruth C. Campbell – gave the land so that a communi-

lates

ty college could be built in Franklin in 1970.

That college was dedicated on Oct. 10, 1971, and named Paul D. Camp Community College after their illustrious father.

The college has served this community and its citizens well for 40 years. We have graduated close to 6,000 students and served in some way – transfer, career and workforce – over 100,000 different citizens, employers and students.

Quite an accomplishment from those early beginnings.

I recently reviewed some documents from the 20-year anniversary in 1991 and the 30th anniversary in 2001. In 1991, the newspaper listed nine of the original employees still working at the college. In 2001 the list was down to five – Katie Edwards, Pete Parker, Ben Foust, Maggie Evans and Kay Meditz — all retired.

However, Kay continues to serve Paul D. Camp Community

Congratulates

College. She was retired for two years before coming back to work with us part time at the Regional Workforce Development Conco Center. I could not help but think about the hundreds of employees over these past 40 years that through their dedication, hard work, skill, talent and caring, have demonstrated and met our mission “to enhance the quality of life for students and the community.”

Many of us remember each of the six presidents that have contributed to the life of the college: Perry Adams (1970 – 1979), who established and built the college; Johnnie Merritt (1980-1983), who helped the college mature into an

Congratulates Congratulates Congratulates Congratulates

PaulPaul D.Paul Camp D. Camp D. Camp Community Community Community College College College

institution of influence and saw the celebration of its 10-year anniversary; Mike McCall (19841988), who saw the establishment of our Suffolk campus; Ed Barnes (1988-1992), who oversaw the establishment of complimentary institutions on the original donated P.D. Camp acreage for The Children’s Center and the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial library; Jerry Friga (1992-2002), who facilitated the building of our Workforce Development Center and established our center in Smithfield; and Doug Boyce (2002-2010), who saw the institution through its toughest economic times, yet was still able to initiate new educational opportunities like our nursing program.

Their accomplishments and those of their faculty and staff still influence our communities today.

While much attention and work was being accomplished in those early years on our Franklin cam-

pus, it became a goal to offer more classes and convenience within our service region.

In 1979, the college began offering classes in Suffolk, where it utilized the John Randolph Elementary School building until 1982 when an off-campus center was established in a building on Pinner Street. In 1988, the Pinner Street facility received campus status.

In 1993, the Smithfield Center began operation, and by 1995, the Hobbs Suffolk Campus was constructed on Kenyon Road. The land for this campus of approximately 40 acres was donated by the family of Oliver K. Hobbs Sr. Now through technology and distance education, we can offer classes conveniently to anyone with a computer and Internet. We have also grown our dual enrollment program in each of our area

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SEE GREETINGS, PAGE 15

You Put the “Community” in Community College!

Thank You for 40 Great Years

educating educating educating our area our area our educating our area area

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on 40 on 40 fulfilling on fulfilling fulfilling yearsyears of years of of on 40 40 fulfilling years of

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pdccc 40th anniversary

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

A family affair

friday, september 30, 2011

PDCCC Workforce Center has broad mandate

SUBMITTED

Training and services are available at the college’s Regional Workforce Development Center on the Franklin Campus, the City of Suffolk Workforce Development Center, Hobbs Suffolk Campus and the PDCCC Smithfield Center. From July 2009 to June 2010, 252 Career Readiness Certificates were awarded.

BY EMILY R. COLLINS/STAFF WRITER emily.collins@suffolknewsherald.com

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PFRED PFARQUHARDT | TIDEWATER NEWS

From left to right is son, Josiah Barrett, mother, Jill Barrett, daughter, Hannah Barrett and dad, Ray Barrett.

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BY MERLE MONAHAN/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER merlemonah@aol.com

WAKEFIELD—When Ray Barrett’s family found a college that best suited its needs, they took advantage of it.

Barrett, 46, his children Josiah, 19, and Hannah, 18, attend Paul D. Camp Community College. All will graduate in May. This will be Ray Barrett’s second degree; he received an associate’s degree in business administration earlier, while his wife, Jill, received her associate’s degree in business administration in 2006.

Jill Barrett is taking classes at the college in medical coding, along with home-schooling her two youngest children, Noah, 14, and Grace, 10. She also taught Josiah, Hannah and older daughter, Meredith, at home.

Meredith broke the line by graduating summa cum laude from Piedmont Baptist College with her elementary teaching credentials.

“Attending PDCCC has worked for us,” Ray Barrett said. “It is convenient in that it is close to home

and allows us to have time to work as well.

Employed by Newport News Shipbuilding for 29 years, he attends PDCCC in hopes of qualifying for another job when he retires, assuming he continues working.

Working on an associate’s degree in education, Ray Barrett attends college one night a week and takes another class online.

Josiah Barrett, who is taking 19 credits at the college and online, works during the summer and other times at Chippokes Plantation State Park. Familiar with local history, he was an interpreter at Bacon’s Castle during his high school years and recently joined a band at Bacon’s Castle Baptist.

Both Josiah and Hannah Barrett are musicians; Josiah Barrett plays bass guitar and Hannah Barrett sometimes fills in with the band as the keyboardist and vocalist. Josiah wrote, sang and recorded a song for a video that Chippokes is making to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

“But so far, our church band has played just for church groups,” Josiah Barrett said. “ We hope to get invited to other functions.”

Josiah Barrett will attend Montreat College, in Montreat, N.C., next year with hopes of preparing working for a state park system.

“I understand they have an outdoors education program that will get you started in this,” he said.

Hannah Barrett, who is taking 20 credit hours at the college and online, has worked at Eastover Plantation Retreat. She plans to become an X-ray technician and will study at Riverside Medical Center.

“Paul D. Camp College has been good for us,” Jill Barrett said.

“When we enrolled our children, we didn’t know how well homeschooled students would be accepted. This was afterall the first time any of our children had ever been in a school classroom.”

“But the dean and the financial director were wonderful to us,” she added. “They answered all our questions and made us feel right at home. “ Josiah and Hannah Barrett received scholarships. And in a few months, both will receive degrees in general studies.

“This gives us a good solid basis as we go on to higher colleges,” Josiah Barrett said.

FRANKLIN–For almost 10 years, Paul D. Camp Community College’s workforce development division has helped the school serve the greater Western Tidewater community by helping employers in the area provide enrichment for their workers.

The workforce development division has worked, in conjunction with the community college, to provide training and classes to help workers become more successful in their fields.

“We help people get jobs, and we help people who have jobs get better,” said Randy Betz, the vice president of the workforce development for PDCCC. The division, which serves the cities of Suffolk and Franklin and Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, provides services to businesses, industries, organizations and government agencies that want to enhance their workforce at several locations in the region, including the college’s Hobbs Suffolk and Smithfield campuses and the Suffolk Regional Workforce Development Center.

However, the division’s main operation center is the Paul D. Camp Regional Workforce Development Center in Franklin.

“What we have here is 32,000 square feet of training, meeting

and event space that is extensively used by our college’s service area,” Betz said.

Although it works alongside the community college, the idea of a workforce development center came from a group from the Union Camp paper mill in Franklin.

In the late ‘90s, several mill leaders decided to develop a place for employees to receive training that would serve not just Union Camp but also various local businesses.

“Many community members, including those leaders at Union Camp, had the vision to put together a regional workforce development that would help develop workers at many community businesses,” Betz said.

Union Camp pulled together most of the money needed to build the facility, but International Paper also provided funds for the construction after the company acquired Union Camp.

In 1999, the Regional Workforce Development Center was built, and the center held its first class in its building in January 2002.

Prior to the opening, PDCCC hosted the workforce development offerings.

While the workforce development division and the college work under the same umbrella, Betz said, the two entities serve SEE WORKFORCE, 7

pdccc 40th anniversary

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THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

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Former presidents reflect on their terms BY dr. DOUGLAS W. BOYCE

I am so very grateful to have been part of Paul D. Camp Community College during nearly eight of its past 40 years.

During that time, college personnel have worked together with other community stakeholders to open new doors of opportunity for students and communities, and have laid a solid foundation for the future of the college.

As I reflect on my years there, I note the many ways the college community has pulled together to move PDCCC forward. The following are just a few examples of that progress: • Credit enrollment growth • Increases in student graduation, transfer and retention • The creation of new programs of study to respond to community needs and interests • Growth of online course offerings • Establishment of a college-

wide strategic planning process; establishment of course, core competency and acaBoyce demic program assessment, and program review efforts • The creation of a brand, along with promotional literature, television ads, videos and the development of the Web site to promote the college • Administrative re-organization, which provided a director/ dean-level position on each campus and the Smithfield Center • Revised and updated college policies and procedures • Establishment of a faculty/ staff leadership program and re-

launch of the Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable • Growth in noncredit workforce and community service enrollments • Expanded workforce offerings and the establishment of a second workforce center in Suffolk in partnership with city officials As this list suggests, PDCCC has made a positive difference in the lives of countless students and other community members since 1971. I am glad to be part of that history.

I also am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with faculty and staff who are committed to educational excellence and student success.

If PDCCC did not exist, the high quality educational opportunities it provides would be out of reach to many residents.

The college will continue to play an essential role in light of the economic challenges we face.

Best wishes to President Dr. Paul Conco, faculty and staff as they provide new levels of service to our communities.

Dr. Boyce served as president of PDCCC from 2002-2010.

BY DR. EDWIN L. BARNES

I was privileged to serve Paul D. Camp Community College from 1988 until 1992.

The period presented formidable challenges and enormous opportunity. It was a time of financial austerity and extremely lean budgets that required innovative thinking and creative budgeting Barnes tech-

niques, which actually resulted in “more bang for the buck.”

Most significantly, it was a time when the faculty and staff came together as a cohesive unit, the likes of which I have not seen before or since. This small group of professionals dedicated themselves to providing more and better services to the college service region despite financial constraints and other restrictive obstacles.

The results of their efforts were truly extraordinary. Among their accomplishments was the establishment of the Hobbs Suffolk Campus, including the acquisition of land. The groundwork for the Smithfield site was laid, and academic offerings were developed for the citizens of that region.

The college was a substantial contributor to the construction of SEE FORMER, PAGE 6

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pdccc 40th anniversary

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

friday, september 30, 2011

former: Past presidents share FROM PAGE 5 the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial library and the Texie Camp Marks Children’s Center through land donations for each site.

An aggressive and extensive grant writing program enhanced college financial resources.

Enrollment and retention rates improved dramatically and quickly, which over time, resulted in future funding enhancements by the Virginia Community College System.

The successes of the college culminated when PDCCC received the prestigious U.S. Senate Productivity Award in 1990. The college was only the second Commonwealth agency to be so honored.

PDCCC received extensive national media attention and was cited as an example of a small college doing good things with CMYK less financial support.

I would be remiss if I did not

acknowledge the exemplary leadership of the local college board during this period and to the leadership of three outstanding board chairmen — Herb DeGroft, Stan Brantley and Bobby Worrell.

Additionally, the college benefited from community wide support, such as from The Tidewater News, and other local businesses and industries. It was the finest cooperative event I have experienced. I was so fortunate to have been a part of it.

Dr. Barnes served as president of PDCCC from 1988-1992.

BY DR. MICHAEL B. MCCALL

Paul D. Camp Community College plays a prominent and indispensable role in Franklin and the surrounding communities.

As the college’s third president, I am pleased to offer my congratulations to the institution on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

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When I arrived in Franklin, Camp College had just completed its 10-year anniversary celebration. During the next seven years, I McCall saw the college grow and mature into a community focal point.

The community looks to the college for both leadership and direction, and Camp College responds by offering programs and services that make a significant impact on the economic viability of the area.

Keep up the great work and once again, I offer my sincere congratulations.

Dr. McCall served as president of PDCCC from 1984-1988.

Dr. Perry Adams

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Former students return to college for careers FRANKLIN—Paul D. Camp Community College has not only been a place to begin higher learning, but also foster careers.

The following are stories from former students who work at PDCCC. HYLER SCOTT is an assistant professor who serves as counselor for student support services at the Oliver K. Hobbs campus on Kenyon Road in Suffolk.

The Sedley native started her walk to higher education in 1976.

Two years later, Scott earned an associate’s degree in secretarial science.

Attending Scott PDCCC was a natural given its location. She also credits her parents for her success.

“Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am,” said Scott.

A year after graduating from PDCCC, Scott returned when she was hired as an office services specialist.

“I did financial aid for many years,” she said.

In 1987, Scott and other personnel started commuting to the Suffolk center.

“Many of us did so, and during

that time, I got my bachelor’s degree in organizational management from St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville,” she said.

Scott left PDCCC to go to Tidewater Community College and Hampton University for 10 years before earning a master’s degree in counseling from Regent University.

“In 2003, I came back home with a master’s,” she said.

The counseling Scott does at PDCCC focuses on getting students admitted to the college, passing their entrance exams and academic/career development.

For SHEILA HOBBS, earning a degree has long since progressed to just coming to a classroom.

Advances in computer technology have increased the reach for PDCCC students who live considerable distances from campuses in Franklin, Suffolk and Smithfield.

That’s where Sheila Hobbs comes in as the administrator of distance learning, which includes video-conference Hobbs and online instruction, and technology in the classroom.

Hobbs got her start at the school as an employee.

“I came initially to make duplications,” she said.

Creating mass copies of documents was done on an ink press in what she described as a “cubby hole.” Hobbs was not a stranger to the task, having worked as a secretary for two principals at S.P. Morton Elementary School.

She started part-time at the audio visual department of PDCCC in October 1972. The work in duplication and supplies became full time in 1973. Hobbs got the position in charge of the audio visual department in 1976.

Satellite connections for Union Camp engineers who wanted master’s degrees started in 1986 and online courses came about in 2004.

Hobbs in 1987 began working toward an associate’s degree in general studies at PDCCC. This inspired her.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational management from St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville.

Hobbs did bachelor’s and master’s work in mass communications at Norfolk State University.

An internship with the City of Suffolk Cable Co. gave her experience with television studio work. Ultimately, she got “a whole new appreciation for TV folks,” but Hobbs realized that this was not the work for her.

“Around 2006, I became involved in my current position,” she said.

“I’m very, very busy now with work.

I love what I do.”

BARBARA BUTLER got her start

including those leaders at Union Camp, had the vision to put together a regional workforce development that would help develop workers at many community businesses,” Betz said.

Union Camp pulled together most of the money needed to build the facility, but International Paper also provided funds for the construction after the company acquired Union Camp.

In 1999, the Regional Workforce Develop-

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JEAN BRITT remembers her arrival to PDCCC.

“It’s kind of an odd way,” Britt said. “I was brought up in South Boston, graduated from high school and moved to Norfolk and got a job at a Navy base,” she said.

“My sister had married a man from the Walters area. She said a college is being built, and to come live with her. So I left the city and started full time at PDCCC.” Britt earned her clerk-typist certificate in 1972. She then worked parttime in the data word processing center.

A position opened in the faculty cluster.

The late Joy Collier hired Britt as a full-time secretary in the faculty office in 1973. Britt went on to continuing education, Britt institutional advancement and then the faculty/student side, working for the dean.

She is now executive secretary to the Renee Felts, dean of occupational, technical programs.

“I’m busy all day long,” she said. “I put out fires, help the bookstore and with new student orientation.”

She and her husband, Frankie Britt, also a PDCCC graduate, live in Walters. Their daughter, Kelly Ellis, also took some classes at PDCCC.

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workforce: Union Camp funded facility FROM PAGE 4

at PDCCC in 1971 as a student.

“A friend applied and she told me about PDCCC and brought me information, and I applied,” said Butler, who is now the school’s registrar.

She earned an associate’s degree in secretarial science.

“I was asked to apply for a job at Paul D. Camp,” Butler said. “First I was in the admissions office, which I’m still doing today. I love my job.

Working with the people and the new students every semester. Just being able to share my experience with them.”

In addition to taking work-related classes at PDCCC, Butler went to St. Paul’s College and earned a Butler bachelor’s degree in organizational management.

“I finished there, and went to Virginia University in Lynchburg and got a degree in religious studies and a master’s of divinity,” she said.

Butler, who is an associate minister at Morning Star Baptist Church in Windsor, does adjunct teaching at the Suffolk location with the Virginia University.

ment Center was built, and the center held its first class in its building in January 2002.

Prior to the opening, PDCCC hosted the workforce development offerings.

While the workforce development division and the college work under the same umbrella, Betz said, the two entities serve different clients.

“There’s a lot of working back and forth to get the right fit for the person who arrives at our collective doorstep,” he said. “The college sees the more traditional students. Our focus is trying to meet the needs of businesses and industries.”

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PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

8 THE TIDEWATER NEWS / SuFFolk NEWS-HERAlD

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Following history of Paul D. Camp Community College

BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER PlAYBAck58@gMAIl.coM

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FRANKLIN—Although Paul D. Camp Community College didn’t open its doors until 1971, the school’s roots go back into the mid-1960s.

Mills Godwin Jr., a native of Chuckatuck in old Nansemond County, was governor in 1965-66 when he proposed the Virginia Community College System to the Virginia General Assembly.

This called for Virginia to be divided into 23 areas — each served by a community college. More than one campus was allowed for more populated areas or areas that are more geographically remote. There are 40 campuses in the VCCS. One of the people who was a part of PDCCC’s early days was Leonard “Pete” Parker, retired vice CMYK president of financial and administrative services.

Parker was a state internal auditor in Richmond for the VCCS when he was asked to help form the campus for Western Tidewater, which includes Southampton, Franklin, Suffolk and Isle of Wight.

This became the 21st region, which was organized on Jan. 7, 1970, in large part by a college advisory board. Roger Drake was the first chairman.

On April 1, the campus got its name to honor Paul D. Camp for his contributions to the area. The family also donated land for the Franklin site.

Parker came to the city in September. He had been recruited by Dr. Perry R. Adams, who became the first president that July.

Adams, Parker, Anne Hobbs and Carolyn Turner were among people who organized the school from a Third Avenue location. They moved closer to the campus the next spring while the school was being built.

FILE PHOTO

On April 1, 1970, the campus got its name to honor Paul D. Camp for his contributions to the area.

The family also donated land for the Franklin site.

Paul D. Camp Community College opened in September 1971.

Rebecca Worrell was the first student to register.

Others who have served as

Our Sincere Best Wishes to Paul D. Camp Community College for 40 Years of Excellence in Education • Get Ahead at PDCCC

college president were Dr. Johnnie E. Merritt, Dr. Michael B. McCall, Dr. Edwin L. Barnes, Dr. Jerome J. Friga and Dr. Douglas Boyce. Dr. Paul William Conco became the seventh president in July 2010.

In the mid to late 1980s, PDCCC took over an elementary school in Suffolk. The Oliver K. Hobbs campus opened in 1995 thanks to a notable land gift. The Smithfield Center was created in 1993.

Barnes, McCall and Friga began researching the idea for the Workforce Development Center.

Committees were formed that included residents, school supervisors, county administrators and Union Camp representatives. A feasibility study concluded that the cost would be $5 million. About $2 million was raised locally, with Union Camp contributing not only $500,000.

Representatives from the aforementioned groups gave testimo-

ny to the General Assembly, which ensured the project’s success.

“I think the state got its return on the investment pretty good,” said Parker.

By January 2002, a Regional Workforce Development Center was established on the Franklin Campus.

PDCCC Public Relations Specialist Wendy Harrison provided information for this story.

Paul D. Camp, along with his brothers, founded the lumber company Camp Manufacturing in 1887. The Franklin facility became part of Union Camp Corp. later after the paper mill was established.

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friday, september 30, 2011

pdccc 40th anniversary

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JoAnne Russell shares story of 35 years at PDCCC FRANKLIN—Working for Paul D. Camp Community College for 35 years, makes JoAnne Russell an unofficial historian.

Russell has served in several capacities since 1976 and worked for the college during all seven of its presidencies. A 1981 and 1992 summa cum laude PDCCC graduate, she has seen the faces of many students, moved from one building to another and worked for bosses with different leadership styles.

Russell recently shared some of the highlights of her tenure: Paul D. Camp affords an opportunity for people, whether they be a single parent, someone who needs to hone their skills or someone who is interested in changing careers, to come here for two years, get a degree and move on to where they want to be.

It is an open doorway.

I had three children when I

started working here in 1976, the same year I earned my certification in clerk stenographer.

The college had received a Title III grant and hired a coordinator.

A clerk typist was needed for the Title III coordinator.

Carol Ballard, who was a counselor, pulled my file and put it on Pete Parker’s desk for review. He was dean of financial and administrative services at the time. I was interviewed and selected by Mr. Parker.

But I actually worked for the coordinator, Sheila Appleby. She was my first supervisor at the college. She was more like a colleague and friend. I would have to remind her that she was my boss.

At that time, there was only one campus, but it was so alive and vibrant. The halls were just filled with students. It was so crowded that you had to pick your times to walk down the hall. Although we

are experiencing record enrollment now, it is spread over two campuses and the Smithfield Center.

After awhile, I was ready to move on — getting off of soft money. The college had to reapply for the Title III grant, which wasn’t guaranteed. That’s when I applied for the job of stenographer for the Technology, Science and Mathematics Division.

After working for several other chairpersons in that division, I eventually worked for Clayton Harpold as secretary senior. He was a biology teacher and the division chair.

We were in the Pinner Street building then. It was a whole world of difference between the old Pinner Street building and the new campus building.

Then I went to work for Mr. Parker as executive secretary to the dean of financial and admin-

Russell istrative services. I was his first official secretary.

He was a no-nonsense, business-minded person, and whatever you needed to do your job, he worked toward getting it for you.

One of the requirements of being his secretary was to be back

up for payroll, for which I was trained. At some point after the Hobbs Suffolk Campus was built, a position came open in payroll while I was working for Mr. Parker. I applied and got the position, working for Vivian Mack.

I have been here during all seven presidents, although I’ve only worked under two. Each had their own style and direction for the college.

I began working for Dr. Douglas Boyce as assistant to the president in 2002, after being in payroll. I wasn’t even going to apply for the position. Edna King, who was in charge of Tech Prep, called me two to three days before the deadline and encouraged me to apply.

I pulled together something quickly. I wasn’t sure it would fly.

When I was told they wanted an interview, I said if this isn’t for real

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PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

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PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Newsoms woman first to register at PDCCC in 1971

BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER playback58@gmail.com

CARRSVILLE—Rebecca “Becky” Worrell, a reading specialist at Carrsville Elementary School, is grateful for Paul D. Camp Community College.

“This is where I began my career,” said Worrell.

She credited Paul D. Camp, who contributed the land for the Franklin campus. Next, the professors.

“Most of all, Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr., who made all this possible,” Worrell said. “He launched the system into the legislature.”

She regards the school as “her salvation.”

“I could not have touched the people I touch had I not gone to PDCCC,” Worrell said.

Before furthering her education, Worrell was married and a nurse at a doctor’s office. In nursing school, CMYK she found she enjoyed working with children.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Worrell said.

So when PDCCC became a reality, she got off work early and was first in line to register in 1971.

“I could not wait,” Worrell said.

“My first year was wonderful.”

After earning an associate’s degree in pre-teaching, she got a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Old Dominion University, Norfolk. Afterward, Worrell got a master’s degree in educational administration, then a certificate in advance studies.

She now serves on the board of directors for PDCCC. “I have been honored to serve on the board for a couple of years. I love to help Paul D. Camp grow,” Worrell said.

“Getting an education was forefront in my mind,” she added. “My mother preached education, and now I know why.”

Worrell grew up in Grizzard in Sussex County. Her father was a

tenant farmer.

“We just marvel at the wisdom of our mother,” Worrell said. “She finished high school, but dad had to quit seventh grade to farm. That was the way of life back then.”

Among Worrell’s siblings, one is a registered nurse who teaches nurses’ aides at a community college.

Another is an X-ray technician, and the other two are administrative assistants.

Except for a year in Richmond, Worrell has lived her entire married life in Newsoms. She and her husband, Sheldon, have a son, Don, who lives in Florida.

As a reading specialist, Worrell works with students to determine their reading level for their age. She then works on phonetic awareness, fluency and comprehension.

Worrell sees her role as an educator as a person “who causes people to think.”

“Everything is very positive.

Learning is so much fun.”

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PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

13

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Franklin detective advanced career through PDCCC

BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER playback58@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—Becoming a detective requires more than a badge. It takes an outside education.

Franklin Police Lt. Det. Kenneth Barham was promoted to corporal of investigations with the Franklin Police Department in 2004. Barham took a nine-week course at the Virginia Forensic Science Academy in Richmond in 2005 and was promoted to sergeant.

He then enrolled at Paul D. Camp Community College in 2006.

“I wanted somewhere close to work and I could get help from the teachers,” said Barham, a graduate of Southampton High School and a member of the Franklin force since 2000. “I don’t like online classes. I like talking to the instructors.”

Classes in English, psychology and sociology were required.

“These helped me deal better with people and all-around become a better person,” he said. “The better you understand people, the better you can do your job. The more educated you are, the more opportunities there are for future advancement.”

Barham earned his associate’s degree in applied science criminal justice in 2009.

The additional education is crucial in daily work because “there’s no such thing as a typical day.”

“You come to work with one thing in mind, but what happens in the community can dictate otherwise,” he said. “You might have a robbery, homicide or hostage situation.”

Barham recalled a murder from 2009. The skills of he and his coworkers enabled a successful prosecution of the suspects.

Promoted lieutenant in 2009, he plans to further his education.

“I will probably start working on

my bachelor’s degree in 2012,” Barham said. “I completed an FBI National Academy Course at Quantico in June. It was very demanding, but good. You meet national and international students from 22 different countries. It was a great class.”

He earned undergraduate credits from a forensics class and writing papers on ethics and media relations.

“Education is a personal goal I am compelled to achieve, and Barham in return, will contribute to my career as a law enforcement official,” Barham said.

Franklin Police Chief Phil Hardison, a PDCCC graduate in the 1990s, noted that continuing educa-

tion in law enforcement has always been an integral part of problemsolving.

“From Barham and others’ perspective, it (PDCCC) enables them to advance academic learning and provides them opportunities to compete in higher levels as possibilities come available for promotions or lateral movements and assignments,” Hardison said.

“The true benefit enables them a broad opportunity of information they’re exposed to.

They can transfer back to our organization — and ultimately community — critical issues and alternatives for long-term problem solving.”

Hardison praised the college’s staff.

“We have found them most accommodating in terms of working with our officers’ schedules,” he said. “They’re experts in their field.”

Hardison also talked about

PDCCC’s Ron Osborne, typically the go-to person for criminal justice curriculum.

“He is a wonderful person,” Hardison said. “He’s assisted many police officers within the law enforcement community to get them in structured curriculum to achieve degree goals. He’s done a wonderful job.”

Full-time administrative faculty Dr. Harriette Arrington Randall W. Betz Dr. Paul Wm. Conco Dr. Gordon R. Edenfield Dr. Patsy R. Joyner Travis W. Parker Dr. Maxine B. Singleton Dr. Jerry J. Standahl Bronia W. Vaughan Linza M. Weaver

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pdccc 40th anniversary

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Facilities double as community centers The college hosts a literary festival every year, as well. Even churches have met in the building when they had problems with their regular meeting place, such as building renovations.

Arrington said once people come to Paul D. Camp, for any reason, they’re more likely to have an event there because of the people they see on campus.

“We are generous and kind and wonderful people,” she said.

“We like to focus on the ‘community’ in our name,” Arrington said.

BY TRACY AGNEW/NEWS EDITOR tracy.agnew@suffolknews-herald.com

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FRANKLIN—It’s not just college classes taking place at Paul D. Camp Community College.

The college’s buildings also have become venues for all sorts of community events, from art exhibits and poetry readings to training sessions and standardized testing.

The Franklin campus has been hosting free movies, because the town no longer has a theater.

“It’s a free service to the community for something you used to have to pay for,” said Joe Edenfield, vice president for finance and administrative services. “We’re just trying to help CMYK out in the community.”

The Franklin campus also will host the 40th anniversary celebration community picnic Sept.

29. The Janitors will entertain during the event, set for 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Suffolk campus also has its own special flavor that leads numerous groups to its doors.

“It’s beautiful,” said Harriette Arrington, dean of the Suffolk campus, in describing why so many groups choose Paul D. Camp as a space for events. “We have a lovely atrium foyer area that is spacious and has vaulted ceilings. It’s a large, attractive entrance to the building where we can have a reception or an exhibit.”

In addition, there is a large, multi-purpose room that can be used for training or standardized tests. City groups and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy have utilized the space for those purposes, respectively, in recent years, Arrington said.

In addition to the space, Arrington said, she believes the Suffolk campus has grown popular because it’s “a little bit of the beaten path.”

“People tend to feel they’re going somewhere special,” Arrington said. “It’s like a hidden

Board Members

SUBMITTED

The winners for the Suffolk Humane Society’s second annual Be Kind to Animals Art Contest were announced at a reception recently at the Suffolk campus of Paul D. Camp Community College. The contest was held in honor of Be Kind to Animals Week. Students were asked to create an original two-dimensional or three-dimensional artwork or digital photograph that illustrated how to be kind to animals. Elementary school winners were: 1st place, McKynzie Clark, Oakland Elementary; 2nd place, Indya Gipson, Northern Shores Elementary, and 3rd place, Krystal Avery, Oakland Elementary. High school winners were 1st place, Clarissa Ferguson, 2nd place, Denise Oxton, and 3rd place, Cory McMahon, all of Nansemond River. jewel.”

The campus is located on Kenyon Road past Lakeland High School. However, the area around it is becoming more visible with a new YMCA children’s camp next door and the CenterPoint intermodal center being developed across the street.

“The city has chosen to begin developing this area a little bit more,” Arrington said. “It’s great for us, because more people will know about where we are located.”

The building also has the benefit of ample parking, something many locations in downtown Suffolk and elsewhere do not possess.

“You think about parking in downtown Suffolk, you can’t just jump out of the car and run into the meeting,” she said.

Felicia Blow Richard Brooks, vice chairman Robert C. Claud Sr. Jean Copeland A Meredith Felts Jr. James Samuel Glasscock Kermit Hobbs Lynn Jones J. Patrick Newman Patricia Sowell, chair Kisha P. Watford Vivian Wilkins Syretha Wright Dorcas Helfant-Browning, liaison

Board of Directors

SUBMITTED

Parents and students check out the artwork at the “Be Kind to Animals” art contest in May at Paul D. Camp Community College. It was just one of many non-college events that are held at the buildings, which serve as community centers in many respects.

J.P. Bain Jr. Nancy H. Nagle Bolio J.R. Boyce Dr. L.D. Britt Robert C. Claud Sr. Dr. Paul Wm. Conco, president Herbert W. DeGroft Roger W. Drake Lydia Duke Kendall Edwards R.M. “Bob” Felts William A. Gwaltney Jr., president Frank E. Hall Dr. Patsy R. Joyner, executive director/secretary John Alexander Mann III, vice president Glenn B. Rawlings Tim Schellpeper Lynda Updike Philoron A. Wright II

PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

friday, september 30, 2011

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

15

SHARING: PDCCC was always there for her

greetings: From the president

FROM PAGE 9

FROM PAGE 3

I’m not going to waste my time.

But they assured me it was on the level.

I was honest as I could be in the interview — positive, upbeat.

They gave me scenarios and had a panel of about five or six there.

They offered me the job, and Dr. Boyce and I came here together in November of that year. I currently am the assistant to President Dr. Paul Wm. Conco.

Looking back, I think it was very significant when Teletechnet came on campus, which offered Old Dominion University satellite classes. It broadened the opportunity for people in this area without the expense of traveling back and forth. It was an important moment for the college. It opened up PDCCC to a whole world of new people. My daughter took advantage of that opportunity. It was something the college really

needed.

Paul D. was here when I needed it. It was significant for me and my family.

In addition to her certificates, Russell has an associate of arts and science degrees in secretarial science and in business management with a specialization in computer information systems from PDCCC. She has earned the Certified Professional Secretary honor.

Meditz served five offices as secretary at PDCCC STAFF REPORT

FRANKLIN—Kay Meditz has worked for two directors, two deans, four presidents and three interim presidents since joining the Paul D. Camp Community College family 40 years ago.

Meditz began working as an

admissions clerk when the college opened in 1971.

“I worked in five different offices (as a secretary),” she said.

She also worked for college counselors, director of student services, dean of the college and the college president.

Meditz retired in February

2003 and two years later, returned as a part-time employee at the Regional Workforce Development Center in Franklin.

She is one of three employees who job-share the position of college receptionist while providing secretarial support.

high schools, which allows students who meet certain criteria to take classes that count for both high school diploma requirements and college credit.

Through technology, Paul D. Camp Community College can offer such courses as “Introduction to Japanese” and allow our own associate degree graduates the opportunity to continue on seamlessly at Old Dominion University and earn their bachelor’s degree without leaving home.

Our overall transfer program creates a seamless transfer of credits to senior universities and permits guaranteed ad-

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missions when criteria are met.

Enrollment at PDCCC continues to grow, and as the seventh president, I am pleased to report our enrollment is the highest it has been in the history of the college. Our faculty and staff are still achieving that mission of providing “diverse learning opportunities to enhance the quality of life for students and the community.”

I look forward to 2021, the 50th anniversary of PDCCC — and with time flying so rapidly, it will be here very soon.

Conco is president of Paul D. Camp Community College and can be reached at pconco@pdc. edu.

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16 tHe tideWater NeWs / suffolk NeWs-Herald

friday, september 30, 2011

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PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

friday, september 30, 2011

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

17

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PDCCC 40th anniversary

18 THE TIDEWATER NEWS / suffolk news-herald

friday, september 30, 2011

Nursing student succeeds after Ford plant closure

BY TRACY AGNEW/NEWS EDITOR tracy.agnew@suffolknewsherald.com

SUFFOLK—When Chris DeMonico found out she would be laid off from the Norfolk Ford plant in 2007, she decided to take action, rather than let unemployment take over.

DeMonico enrolled in the nursing program at Paul D. Camp Community College. In May 2009, she graduated as a registered nurse at the age of 46.

“I think it’s a great program,” she said. “They work with you. It’s small and very intimate. And you come out with an associate’s (degree) in 22 months.”

DeMonico began working for Ford in New Jersey in an apprentice program working with sheet metal. In 2002, the company moved her to Virginia to work in CMYK the Norfolk plant. She found her niche there as the only woman in the garage, fixing and maintaining forklifts and other necessary equipment.

But in only a few years, she and her co-workers began noticing the warning signs of impending layoffs. In 2007, the plant closed.

She was one of the last workers out.

The company offered to move her to Detroit, but she didn’t want to go through the same thing again.

DeMonico didn’t sit around and

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Chris DeMonico stands with her children, Sam and Anna, after her capping in 2009. DeMonico went through the nursing program at Paul D. Camp Community College after getting laid off from the Ford plant in Norfolk. feel sorry for herself, though. She enrolled immediately in Paul D. Camp’s nursing program.

She said she picked Paul D. Camp’s program over others in the region, because it was so small, but there were other benefits as well. When she did clinical work at local health care facilities, she and her classmates knew how

to do work that other students could only watch.

But, she says, “It was hard. I fell asleep on the couch studying.”

She’s been telling her two children, ages 16 and 13, to go to college as soon as they get out of high school. To illustrate the point, she even had them help her study.

“That’s what I tried to get across to them,” she said. “College is not like high school.”

Since DeMonico is a single mother, the family also had to live on a strict budget while she was in school. But she said her program only cost about $8,600.

“You can’t beat that,” she said.

After she graduated, DeMonico

chose one of the most difficult aspects of health care — working in the emergency department.

She now works night shifts at Sentara Obici Hospital. Many people told her she would hate it and tried to talk her into maternity care.

But DeMonico knew she would prefer the hectic pace of the emergency room.

“At Ford you were constantly working at a quick pace,” she said.

“Babies are beautiful, but having to wait for them? I couldn’t do that.”

She said she enjoys her job because of the people she works with.

“It’s all about teamwork,” she said. “I’ve got a great bunch of people I work with, and it makes a huge difference.”

DeMonico said she would recommend the nursing program at Paul D. Camp to anyone thinking of nursing, especially because the staff truly cares about the students.

Once her children are out of high school, DeMonico plans to travel throughout the country to work as a nurse. She talks of traveling nurse programs, where she can work anywhere from 13 weeks to six months in one location and then move again.

“I can go anywhere I want and make a whole lot of money,” she said. “I’ll have a job until the day I die.”

Community leaders praise presence of community college

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BY DALE LIESCH/STAFF WRITER dale.liesch@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN—Paul D. Camp Community College’s 40-year investment in the community has been very beneficial, according to local officials.

The college has allowed residents to train for employment while staying in town, while the school has always made the community a focus, said Franklin Mayor Jim Councill.

“They put community in community college,” Councill said.

“It has really been an asset to have education so close at hand.”

When neighbors were helping neighbors during the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd and the flooding that followed in 1999, the college became a staging area and allowed the city use of its buildings while still holding classes, Councill said.

“I will never forget the benefit they were during Floyd,” he

said.

In addition, the school’s workforce training became beneficial when International Paper — Franklin’s largest employer — announced in November 2009 that it was shutting down the mill and displacing 1,100 workers.

“The effects would have been so much worse,” Councill said.

“It kept people here.”

The college and its campuses are also huge economic development tools for Western Tide-

water.

Kevin Hughes, director of the Suffolk Department of Economic Development, said the school helps answer questions business leaders might have before relocating an industry here.

“When we’re talking about opportunities to bring in new firms, you have to have a toolbox,” Hughes said.

The presence of the college is critical in recruiting industry to the area, said Amanda Jarratt, marketing manager for Franklin

Southampton Economic Development.

“We are so fortunate to have it within the city,” Jarratt said. “I think it would be an additional hurdle without it.”

PDCCC Celebrating 40th Anniversary

PDCCC 40TH ANNIVERSARY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

THE TIDEWATER NEWS / SUFFOLK NEWS-HERALD

19

SUBMITTED BY WENDY HARRISON

CELEBRATING 30-PLUS YEARS OF SERVICE—Paul D. Camp Community College employees with at least 30 years on the job are, from left, Nelda Bellamy 35 years, Lestine Turner 38, Nita Holt 32, Jeannette Belcher 30, and Jean Britt 38; and in back, Calvin Holt 35, Beverly Davenport 35, Dr. Jerry Standahl 31, JoAnne Russell 35, Shelia Hobbs 39 and Barbara Butler 38.

Happy 40th Anniversary to Paul D. Camp Community College

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