Student Success Story

In a recent letter to The Herald, Patricia Gaston describes how her life has changed since losing her job. Her story is another wonderful example of the role we play in transforming lives for the better.

Building and Construction Trades

The Building Construction Trades facility opened for classes this semester. After months of hard work from our dedicated faculty, staff, and students, the BCT program has moved to the building behind our truck driving facility on Wilson Street. Classes held at the facility include: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and building construction management. Since the program began in fall 2006, enrollment has increased from 63 to 133 students . If you get a chance, go by while classes are in session and take a look. Congratulations and thanks to all involved in this project!

BeforeAfter

New Commission Members

I'm delighted to introduce three new representatives to the College's governing board.


Robert B. (Bobby) Meek, Jr.
York County Representative
Owner, Century 21 Palmetto Realty
Replaced Hank Owen

James C. (Jim) Hardin, III
York County Representative

Attorney, James C. Hardin Office

Replaced Jim Wilkerson

G. Thompson (Tommy) Myers

Lancaster County Representative

Members Account Executive, Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce

Retired from Spring Industries

The other five seats on the Commission are held by:

Bruce A. Vaughan, Chairman, Retiree
Carolyn B. Carpenter, Vice Chairman, Retiree

Edwin L. Barnes, Comporium Communications

Charles Z. Robinson, Consultant

Geri H. Rucker, Founders Federal Credit Union

Jeffrey C. Sigmon, JEFCO Communications

We greatly appreciate all the work they do to support the College!

New Signage

The campus will soon have new pedestrian signage! The worn, wooden signs around campus will be replaced with low cost ($30-$50 each) sign plates and the poles will be repainted. This is an interim step towards improving signage on campus. As part of our planning process, the College's Campus Master Plan will be updated. This update will include an evaluation of campus signage, traffic flow patterns, walkways, and building needs and will help determine how to improve directional signage across campus. In the meantime, these new signs will be more visible and attractive. Thanks to all those involved in making this happen.

Planning for the Future

Our first planning focus group session was Friday! We learned some interesting information about our co-workers, including their taste in music. One of the first concerts Don Michael attended was Earth, Wind, and Fire and Teresa Smith jams to Sammy Hagar and Lynyrd Skynyrd on her way to work.

Don Michael, BCAS Teresa Smith, HHS

After having some good laughs, we got down to business and reviewed the values that were compiled at the beginning of the year meeting. Jim McDermott commented that he was surprised that diversity was not higher on the list. As we go through these sessions, the list of values may change depending on your feedback. We also discussed ideas for the future of the Institution ranging from case management of students to outdoor seating areas that would provide opportunities for engagement between faculty, staff, and students. It was good to hear a free flow of ideas. These along with yours will be the basis for our Institutional goals. I hope to capture the spirit and many of the specifics of what is shared to form the three to five big goals for the College. Thanks to this first group for kicking things off in a great way!

Recognition of CDC

As we all know, teaching is one of the most significant and powerful jobs in the world because teachers have the opportunity to change lives for the better. It may not immediately occur to you but there is one group of teachers that influences lives from the very beginning - the wonderful teachers and staff at the Child Development Center. It is with great pleasure that I share with you a recognition letter I recently received from a parent. It demonstrates the powerful impact they make in the lives of many. I add my thanks to that of this parent - well done CDC teachers and staff!

Values Tally

Thanks to all who have viewed the blog and thanks to those who have left comments. I will be making attempts to address your thoughts but in the meantime, keep checking in or sign up to receive notification.

I enjoyed our time together Wednesday and I am impressed with the values that came out of the exercise. Although there is no perfect science to the tally, this helps us gauge where we are in the process. The list will change as we hear from others that have not participated. In addition, there may be broad categories that we combine to help facilitate a more concise value. While all our expressed values are relevant and important, it would be nice to narrow our "corporate" list to a number that was manageable. What I am shooting for is a list that is representative and memorable such that we can easily refer to them on a frequent basis, hopefully from memory.

I look forward to your feedback!