Rockingham Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Front row – Austin Reis
Second row, l-r: Hannah Yount, Susan Willis, Sarah Cox, Anna Frye, Lana Shivley, Stevie Foust, Sheyanna Withers, Amanda Wilkinson.
Back row, l-r: Cheryl Hash, Emily Jones, Sarah Purdy, Faith Sims, Justin Mize, Erica Clark, Tonya Cassell, Clara Shelton, Heather Cope.

(Wentworth, NC) – The 18 graduating associate degree nursing students at Rockingham Community College held their capping and pinning ceremony May 8 at 6 p.m. in the RCC auditorium. It is a special ceremony for those entering the nursing field.

Each year during the ceremony, individuals are chosen to receive special awards. This year, Austin Reis was selected to receive the Faculty Award, given to the student who most demonstrates positive leadership qualities, initiative, care in the clinical setting, and pronounced improvement in his/her academic performance and grade-point average. Lana Shively was selected by her classmates to receive the Peer award, which is given to the student(s) who is seen as a student role model and who represents the kind of graduate nurse his/her peers would choose should they need nursing care.

Candidates of the 2013 Nursing Class are listed below by city of residence:

Eden – Anna Frye, Justin Mize, Austin Reis, Susan Willis, Sheyanna Withers.

Elon – Sarah Cox.

Greensboro – Stevie Foust.

Madison – Heather Cope, Clara Shelton.

Mayodan – Faith Sims.

Reidsville – Tonya Cassell, Erica Clark, Sarah Purdy, Hannah Yount.

Ruffin – Lana Shivley.

Sandy Ridge – Emily Jones.

Stokesdale – Cheryl Hash.

Summerfield – Amanda Wilkinson.

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Visit www.whereopportunityrocks.com for complete information about enrolling and registering for classes.

Please call 336-342-4261, ext. 2333 for more information

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Lynn Brisson, Public Information Specialist

Rockingham Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Wentworth, NC) – On Saturday, May 4, the Rockingham Community College Eagles played their last home game of the regular season on Gilliland Field. Despite the day’s loss to Catawba Valley Community College, the Eagles ended the season as the seventh seed in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association), Region 10, Division II Carolinas/Virginia Conference. The seeding earned them a slot in regional playoffs for the first time under the new qualifying format implemented in 2009. In the first round, RCC will be pitted against second seed Brunswick Community College. The game begins at 1 p.m., Friday, May 10 in the Morehead City Marlins Big Rock Stadium, 2714 Mayberry Loop Rd., Morehead City, NC, 28557.

RCC Sophomores, l-r: Kaleb Houchins, Zack Wright, Josh Barringer, Tommy King, Houston Ison, Marshall Creed.

Six sophomore players were honored before Saturday’s play began:

· Josh Barringer (Fluvanna County High School, Va.), is a two-year member of the team who started at first and third bases and as catcher and relief pitcher. Named to the academic Dean’s List at RCC, Barringer plans to continue his education at James Madison University;

· Marshall Creed (Surry County High School), a two-year member of the team who played right field, served as team captain, and will be attending UNC-Charlotte in the fall;

· Kaleb Houchins (Morehead High School), played two years for RCC. During his sophomore year, Houchings pitched 67 1/3 innings. He has committed to play baseball at Pheiffer University in the fall;

· Houston Ison (High Point Central High School), a two-year starter in the outfield, has a batting average of .302. With 25 stolen bases during his sophomore year, he holds the single season and career RCC record for stolen bases. He was named to the NJCAA 2nd Team All-Region outfield. Ison has committed to play baseball next year at Erskine College;

· Tommy King (transfer from Newberry College in New York), served for one year as the starting catcher and team captain.

· Zack Wright (, A.L. Brown High School), served as team captain. Wright started as third baseman and as a relief pitcher his freshman year, but moved to full-time pitcher his sophomore year.

Baseball ceremony, Zach Royals, l-r: Terri and John Royals, parents of Zach Royals; Zach Royals; Chris Johnson, RCC interim athletic director; Chris Loye, RCC baseball coach.

Former Eagles left-handed pitcher, Zack Royals of Winston-Salem was also honored. He became the first Eagles baseball player to have his number retired.

Rockingham Community College’s Interim Athletic Director, Chris Johnson, said, “Over the two years Zach was in our program, he embodied the ideal of what it means to be a student athlete.”

Off the field, Royals was named to the Dean’s List and President’s list for his high academic achievements, named to Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges, and nominated for the North Carolina Community College System Recognition for Academic Excellence. He also received the NCJAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement for 2011-12. He graduated from RCC in 2012 with a cumulative 3.68 grade point average.

On the field, Royals racked up equally impressive statistics: 75.1 pitched innings overall and an outstanding Sophomore year with 31 innings pitched, 18 strikeouts, two wins, one loss and a 3.48 earned run average. In 2012 he transferred to Greensboro College where he continues to pitch.

Royals attended Saturday’s ceremony with his parents, Terri and John Royals.

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Lynn Brisson, Public Information Specialist

Rockingham Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Wentworth, NC) – When Sandi Gann came to Rockingham Community College in 1991, she was one of the few on campus familiar with Apple and IBM computers and their programs. Desktops computers were the latest in technology and Gann was hired to in the college’s Multimedia Learning Center to teach students how to use them.

“I loved teaching,” she said. I taught students and helped design and teach workshops for faculty and staff. It was great.”

It’s not how she envisioned her life when she enrolled in computer programming at UNCG as a nontraditional student, though. Fascinated by computers, she wanted to tap out commands and tell them what to do. But then she realized that entry level computer programmers typically worked third shift and were on call every day of the week. Not an appealing prospect for a young mother of two.

“My advisor told me I had another option: teach.” So, Gann earned a teaching certificate and landed a job usage at Reidsville High School instructing teachers on computer. And when the computers broke, Gann pulled out a soldering gun and went to work.

“It was great fun,” she said, laughing.

A forward thinker on distance learning, Gann taught RCC’s first telecourse.

Time advanced until Gann had the opportunity to move into an administrative role. Taking that opportunity opened doors that still amaze her. Gann became dean of the business division. In 2001, she chaired the SACS committee which shepherded the college through the reaccreditation process. From 2003-07, she and former dean of the humanities division, Dr. Penne Prigge, gave workshops across the state on effective leadership through the Department Chairs Institute, an appendage of North Carolina State University. In 2006 she was named Interim Vice President for Instruction at RCC.

All of it, says Gann, has given her the chance to grow and challenge herself in a career she has loved.

As dean, Gann brought new programs to RCC: medical office technology, criminal justice technology – financial crime/computer fraud, networking, and human resources management. By partnering with Davidson County Community College, she brought truck driver training. Partnerships with Forsyth Technical Community College brought Healthcare Management, Global Logistics, and Financial Services.

Now, she says, it’s time to move on. On the agenda and the horizon, are lots of days with her grandson, working in her yard, and many, many adventures traveling with her husband, Ray.

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Contact *Lynn Brisson, Public Information Specialist

Rockingham Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RCC holds Commencement ceremony

(Wentworth, NC) – Dr. Michael S. Helmick, president of Rockingham Community College, conferred degrees, diplomas and certificates to over 230 individuals during the May 10 graduation exercises held at 10 a.m. in the Robert C. Keys gymnasium.  Among the graduates were the first students dually enrolled in Rockingham Early College High School and RCC.  In the five years they attended school, these students earned both a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree.

The Commencement address was given by Dr. Rodney Shotwell, superintendent of the Rockingham County School system.

Graduates are listed below by city of residence; degree, diploma or certificate earned; and name.  Those earning both a high school and an associate degree are designated by an asterisk (*).

Eden

Degree: Associate in Arts – Brittany Rashae Allen*, Andrew Bowman, Nancy Jean Campbell, Ieshia Dea’mara Clark, Sunshine Jamelyn Dameron (also Respiratory Therapy), Sarah Nicole Garrett, Hamid Hassan Kamara*, Thomas Lowell Knight, Jr., Christopher LaPrade, Jennifer Janelle O’Connor, Summer Leigh Reyes*, Kristin Leigh Richardson*, Ray Donnelly Sharpe, Jr., Michael Chase Thacker, Clarence Samuel Wooten, Jr.; Associate in Fine Arts – Hunter Kyle Murray; Associate in Science – William Bryan Ivie, Spencer Alan Milam; Accounting – Kenneth Pinnix; Associate Degree Nursing – Erica Renea Clark, Anna Maria Frye, Justin Reeser Mize, Austin Dane Reis, Susan Gail Willis, Sheyanna Nicole Withers; Business Administration – Samantha Lynn Bailey, Jeanette Jumper, Elizabeth Blankenship Kallam, Angela Southard Kirkman; Computer Information Technology – Patrick Sean Goin; Criminal Justice Technology – Lynsey Lee Caillouet (also Criminal Justice Technology - Financial Crime/Computer Fraud), Desbee Tyrone McDaniel, Brandon Alexander Nichols, Brooke Nicole Snead, Aranda Kori Tatum; Electronics Engineering Technology – Timothy LaQuan Young; Healthcare Management Technology – Christie Massey Moricle, Angela Boothe Wilson; Medical Office Administration – Yolanda Miles Eaton; Office Administration – Rhapsody Rhodes; Respiratory Therapy – Kayla Vernon Gibbs, Veronica Martin Peatross.

Diploma: Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration – James Dale Dixon; Cosmetology – Felisa Marie Courts, Mary Katherine Morris; Electrical/Electronics Technology – Kevin Wayne Pulliam; Electronics Engineering Technology – Bryant Corey Martin; Industrial Systems Technology – Darryl Keith Griffin, Jr., Joseph Henry Grubbs.

Certificate: Automation Systems – David Powers; Cosmetology – Erika Shayne Artis, Kwantisha Foster; Industrial Systems-Industrial Maintenance ­– Jordan Shockley; Industrial Systems-Welding – Jordan Christopher Barnes, Zachary William Kennon, Nicklous James Wilson; Phlebotomy – Gilda King Allen, Jodi Skylar Clark, Amanda Price, Jessica Taylor Roland, Melissa Annshenika Tucker, Whitney Laine Wescott; Receptionist – Tammy Carter.

Madison

Degree: Associate in Arts – Tara Claybrook, Harly Nichole Goins, Kathleen Diane Harris (also Associate in Science ), Lawanda Hughes, Lindsay Jeffrey, Jeffrey Travis McMillian, Robin Elizabeth Seguin; Associate in Fine Arts – Shanell Monay Dennis, Tracy Hale; Associate Degree Nursing – Heather Michelle Cope, Stevie Axsom Foust, Clara Elizabeth Dawn Shelton; Business Administration – Jackie Southern McCollum; Networking Technology – Timothy Lee Levan; Respiratory Therapy – Lauren Washburn Webster.

Diploma:  Industrial Systems Technology – Kevin Michael Wray.

Certificate:  Industrial Systems-Welding – Timothy Dylan Brim; Medical Office Billing & Coding – Wendy Doss Scotton; Phlebotomy – Catherine Elizabeth Smith.

Mayodan

Degree:  Associate in Arts – Cara Sue Tuggle*; Associate in Science – Kevin Wayne McHone; Associate Degree Nursing – Lauren Faith Sims; Electrical/Electronics Technology – Jerry Allen Hobbs II; Medical Office Administration – Mattie Lavon Ngom, Paige Meeks Richardson.

Reidsville

Degree: Associate in Arts – David Causey*, Brooke Nicole Chrismon, Tyler Crisler*, Michael Lawrence Dickerson, LaQuanda Yolanda Grant*, Shalane Ann Hairston*, Jazzmine Janae Knight*, Akenya Elise Jonell McGhie*, Hannah Nicole Nance, Tiffany Rae Nimmons, Meagan Nicole Pillar*, Samuel Jett Pugh (also General Education Core Diploma in Science), Cinnamon Lynn Virginia Shreve, Kourtland Stokes, Jazmon LaTrac Womak; Associate in Fine Arts – Deidre Katarine Nicole Hyler, Maria Evelyn Salvador, Christopher Matthew Vernon; Associate in Science – Madison Ashlee Bonner, Sharon Bridges, Charles Edward Keens, Leah Nicole Ward; Accounting – Michelle Leigh Williams; Associate Degree Nursing ­– Tonya Overby Cassell, Sarah Elizabeth Purdy, Hannah Victoria Yount; Computer Information Technology – Stacy Moore Cooper, Daniel Kyle McCall, Dustin Matthew McCall, Jessica Lynn Parker; Computer-Integrated Machining – Brian Christopher Hanshaw; Criminal Justice Technology – Thomas Andrew Allen, Jr., Angela Michelle Annas, Tonya Ann Barnes (also Criminal Justice-Financial Crime/Computer Fraud), Victoria Monique Hopper, Kristal Aiken Lowe, Brandie Moore, Richard Alan Saunders; Early Childhood Education – Jada Maynard Smith; Electrical/Electronics Technology – Heath Clay Gauldin;  Electronics Engineering Technology – Roger Dale Billingsley II, Tony Blackwell, Jonathan William Avery Boles; Horticulture Technology – Ryan Nathaniel Cox, Richard Kutz, Jr.; Medical Office Administration – Connie Jo Covington, Joanna Pyron Shelton, Jennifer Lynn Stanfield, Sherry White Stratton, Jessica Templeton; Respiratory Therapy ­– Kimberly Dawn Clifton, Courtney Heather Griffin, Alicia Anne Simpson, Brittney Nicole Williams. 

Diploma: Cosmetology – Bria Jones Loftis, Stephanie Dawn Sanders; Electrical/Electronics Technology – Glenn Hanes Vernon; Electronics Engineering Technology – William Tyrone Moore; Industrial Systems Technology – Matthew Todd Brown, Larry Carter; Machining Technology – Timothy Denny.

Certificate: Automation Systems – Antony Quinn Lee; Computer-Integrated Machining CNC Lathe – John Nelson Styer (also Computer-Integrated Machining CNC Milling); Cosmetology – Adrienne Diane Cobb, Audrey Jane Forrest, Kayla Louise Toler; Early Childhood Education – Latasha Dalton; Industrial Systems-Welding – Austin Joseph Brooks, Michael Shibata Norton, Jacob Proctor; Phlebotomy – Marilyn Kay Hopper, Roberta Wilson Page, Kayleigh Gates Sparks, Stephanie Lynn Stone; Residential, Commercial and Industrial Wiring – Maurice Deoan Carroll (also Sustainable Technologies), Michael Ray Dunn, Patrick David Evans.

Ruffin

Degree: Associate in Arts – Michael James Fuller, Micah Nichole Paschal, Misty Diane Toler*; Associate Degree Nursing – Lana Gauldin Shivley; Business Administration – Mary Parker Herbin; Respiratory Therapy – Jennifer Pierce Montgomery.

Stoneville

Degree: Associate in Arts – Logan Belton*, Cory Allen Cridge*, James Steven Lawson, Brittany Danielle Williams, Joshua Tate Williams*; Associate in Science – Michelle Reichl; Business Administration – Justin Brent Hopper; Computer-Integrated Machining – James Michael Clark; Criminal Justice-Financial Crime/Computer Fraud – Brittanie Hewitt; Electronics Engineering Technology – Patrick Randolph Burroughs; Medical Office Administration – Lizzet Delgado Alarcon, Wendy Boyte Watkins, Michael Ray White; Respiratory Therapy – Jessie Lea Roberts.

Diploma: Horticulture Technology – James Gibson; Industrial Systems Technology – Clinton Ross Jackson.

Certificate: Cosmetology – Itzel Ivette Nunez;  Industrial Systems-Welding – Jeremy Clinton Apple, Christopher Marshall Collins; Phlebotomy – Tracy Bauguess, Jordan Scott Wray

Lynn Brisson, Public Information Specialist

Rockingham Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GED graduation ceremony held at RCC

(Wentworth, NC) – On Friday, May 10, at 2 p.m. in the Robert C. Keys Gymnasium, Rockingham Community College held a graduation ceremony for those who earned a GED during the 2012-13 school year. Graduation speakers included the two individuals chosen to receive scholarships to continue their education at RCC: Erin Hicks of Madison and Tonda Bailey of Stokes County.

By earning a GED, Bailey and Hicks, 25 and 24 respectively, have been inspired. Bailey is looking at a possible career in respiratory therapy, Hicks in physical therapy.

Although they were strangers and their lives took different paths, their journeys merged at RCC after hearing similar sentiments from the people who cared about them.

One’s grandmother said, “It’s your fault you don’t have the life you want. You made your choices. Now you can fix it or not.” The other’s mother said, “I gave you the tools you needed for a better life but you didn’t take advantage of it. You chose not to further your education.”

With deadend jobs their only employment options, the reality of those words sank in. Both came to the same conclusion. They wanted more.

The GEDs they earned and scholarships they have been awarded will start them on that path.

The GED graduates for 2012-13 are listed below alphabetically.

Adrian G. Agundiz, Tonda N. Bailey, Reginald T. Bernal, John D. Boyd, Tabitha G. Brim, Mindy L. Brinson, Brittne R. Broadnax, Devonte’ A. Broadnax, Britney S. Brown, Dearl K. Brummett, Keith W. Carter, Amber D.Chambers, Mercedez A. Cobb, Cindy J. Contreras, Alba De La Cruz Santiago, Stephanie D. Dillon, Jonathan W. Edwards, Maria L. Escalante, Israel F. Espinoza, Jackie W. Evans, Emilea A. Gibbs, Rita A. Hanks, Kayla A. Hartel, Lisa A. Hawks, Jade T. Heffinger, Erin C. Hicks, Lauren A. Houlton, Kristin L. Huffines, Adrianna M. E. Hyler, Alexandria J. Kiley.

Also, Timothy M. Lewis, Brandon L. Lockamy, Jovan Lynn, Amanda C. Mabe, Kelly C. Madden, Cathy A. Marsan, Tyrone C. McCoy Sr., Tiffany L. Mills, Esmeralda Miramontes, Dominec L. Monia, Michael L. Murphy Jr., Arianna D. Peters, Zachery E. Phillips, Carrie M. Price, Michael W. Pulliam II, Jammie J. Redd, Karla J. Reyes, Maria F. Rodriguez, Yanxia Z. Sharpe, Cassandra N. Smith, Miqwesha A. Smith, Gloria E. Stone, Joseph L. Stout, Ana Karina Tamayo Piz, Michael A. Tepfer Jr., Austin W. Tucker, Shelby N. Waite , Brittany L. Watkins, Angel L. Welch, Matthew R. Wilson.

Also, William A. Wilson, Maria D. Winder, Donny W. Windle, Penny D. Wood, Sydney C. Woods, Norma M. Wray.

From June 17-July 19, children can enjoy tennis, painting, cheerleading, potter, clay animation, tumbling, duct tape art, jewelry making, CSI, cooking, outdoor adventure and horsemanship, theater, robotics and more.

Each camp meets for one week, Monday through Friday. A few camps meet for two weeks.

For a complete list of camps, including times, dates and descriptions, as well as additional Eaglemania information, payment options and enrollment forms, go to the Rockingham Community College homepage at www.rockinghamcc.edu, and click on the Eaglemania tab in the upper left hand corner. Don’t wait – camps can fill up.

Contact Carol Underwood or Alice Hooker at 342-4261, Ext. 2588 for more information.