Randolph Community College Spring Registration Jan. 6

Registration for new and returning Randolph Community College students for spring 2010 curriculum classes will be held between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at RCC's Asheboro Campus. Students must meet with their advisors before registering.

Students in the Archdale/Trinity area wishing to register for videoconferencing courses offered at the Archdale Center may register in Archdale during the same hours.

New students should check in at the Welcome Tent, complete an orientation session, and meet with an advisor. Enter the Asheboro Campus at Armadillo Drive and follow the signs.

Spring classes begin Monday, Jan. 11. A late registration/schedule adjustment period will be held Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11 and 12. On these days, students may enroll only in classes that have not held the first class meeting.

Before registering, all new students must 1) complete an RCC admissions application, 2) verify that required official transcripts have been received by RCC, 3) take placement testing or submit SAT/ACT scores, 4) complete financial aid paperwork (if appropriate), and 5) complete an orientation session.

Students who haven't completed the admissions process yet or those who are returning to RCC after an absence of one semester or more should go to www.randolph.edu and click on the "How to Enroll" Quick Link or call the Admissions Office at 336-633-0224. Randolph Community College will close for the holidays at 5 p.m. on Monday Dec. 21, and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4.

Randolph Community College Adult High School Diploma/GED Graduation Held Dec. 17

Dr. Stuart Fountain, a member of the State Board of Community Colleges and an Asheboro community leader, was the guest speaker at Randolph Community College's Adult High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED) winter graduation ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 17, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium.

This year, the Basic Skills Division has begun holding several graduation ceremonies throughout the year for Adult High School Diploma and GED graduates to boost participation in the graduation ceremonies. Students graduate at various times throughout the year, and a student who graduates in December is not always available for a May graduation ceremony. Additional ceremonies will be held on Thursday, May 13, and Thursday, Aug. 5.

For the entire story, click here.

Randolph Community College Photography Exhibit Opens at Randolph Arts Guild Dec. 15

Randolph Arts Guild has opened its walls to the Randolph Community College Photographic Technology students who participated in the photo exploration trip to China last May with digital photography instructor John Rash. The exhibit includes photographs taken by students during their trip to China. An opening reception is set for Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and the exhibit will be open through Jan. 22.

"This would not have been possible without funding from an RCC Foundation College Innovation Fund Grant that we received earlier this year," said Rash. "The students can't wait to share their images with the public." The Foundation provided funding for printing, matting, and framing of the photographs on display.

Randolph Arts Guild is located at 123 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro.

Certified Manager Program Class Begins Jan. 12 at Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College's Continuing Education Division will offer a Certified Manager Program class beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12, on the Asheboro Campus.

This course explores the application of leadership, management theory, group dynamics, and communication contributing to the development of a personal style of leadership. Also, leadership styles will be compared to the decision-making process.

The class will meet on Tuesdays, from 6-9 p.m. until May 11. The registration fee is $175, plus the cost of a textbook.

The Certified Manager Program is sponsored locally by RCC in cooperation with the Institute of Certified Professional Managers on the campus of James Madison University. The designation of Certified Manager is similar to that of the Certified Public Accountant designation granted to professionals in accounting. To qualify, you must meet minimum professional standards of education, experience, character, and competence. The courses at RCC are designed to help managers prepare for the exams to earn the CM designation. It is strongly recommended that students have three or more years of experience as a supervisor or manager prior to taking the certification exams.

RCC's courses may also be taken for personal and professional development, even if you do not plan to apply for the CM certification exams. For additional information and to register for this course (#MLS3808L 97575), contact RCC's Continuing Education Information Center at 336-633-0268. Register soon, enrollment is limited.

NOAA Recognizes Randolph Community College as a StormReady Supporter

Officials from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service recognized Randolph Community College as a StormReady Supporter during the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday evening. The college, which employs 193 faculty and staff and has an enrollment of 3,051 curriculum students this fall, is the first community college in North Carolina to receive the StormReady Supporter recognition.

Read the entire story here.

Randolph Community College Cosmetology Center Holiday Hours Set

Randolph Community College's Cosmetology Center will be open for limited hours for the rest of November and December due to holiday schedules and the break between fall and spring semesters.

The Center will be open its normal hours this week: 9 a.m.-12 noon, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18-20, and 8:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21. It will be closed Thanksgiving week.

For December, the Center will be open only Dec. 2-5 during its normal hours. It will be closed for the rest of the month of December. The students will begin to take clients again on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The Cosmetology Center is located in Hillside Shopping Center at 1003 S. Fayetteville Street. For more information, go to RCC's Web Site at www.randolph.edu/cosmetology/.

Randolph Community College Foundation To Host 'Dancing with the Randolph Stars'

The Randolph Community College Foundation announces Dancing with the Randolph Stars, an event to benefit Randolph Community College students, to be held in spring 2010. Local "celebrities" will take to the dance floor competing for monetary votes in support of the Foundation.

The RCC Foundation provides scholarships to students and grants to the College. Record enrollment at the College this fall means there are more students than ever who need financial assistance in order to obtain the education needed for rewarding and successful careers.

"A group of community volunteers has been working for a couple of months to develop an exciting event that will increase the base of support for RCC and its students," said Joyce Wolford, director of Foundation operations and executive director of the RCC Foundation.

Planning is still under way for Dancing with the Randolph Stars and more details will be released soon. If you wish to help support this Foundation endeavor as a sponsor, contact Joyce Wolford in the Foundation office at 336-633-0295 or jbwolford@randolph.edu.

Holiday Open House at RCC Archdale Center Dec. 4 Features Student Artwork

Randolph Community College's Archdale Center will feature local elementary and middle school artwork during its Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 4, from 4-8 p.m. Patrons can vote on their favorite artwork (a penny for each vote); proceeds will go to Relay for Life. First, second, and third place ribbons will be given for both the elementary school and middle school categories.

The award ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. Light refreshments will be served.

The Archdale Center will be open for early viewing and voting Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. and on Fridays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Voting ends at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The Archdale Center is located in Creekside Park, just off Highway 311 south of Archdale. For more information, contact the Archdale Center at 336-862-7980.

Holiday Concert Set for Dec. 2 at Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College's Cultural Arts Series will present a holiday concert and tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 2, on the Asheboro Campus, featuring an instrumental quartet with Tom Liles at the piano, Michael Kinchen on tenor and soprano saxophones, Doug Shadwick on bass, and Daniel Faust on drums.

The 7 p.m. performance, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium on the Asheboro Campus, is being funded by a Grassroots Arts grant from the North Carolina Arts Council through the Randolph Arts Guild. Seating is limited, so go to RCC's Web site to download a free ticket at www.randolph.edu/newevents/culturalarts.php.

Liles was born in Greensboro and currently lives in Asheboro. He is pursuing a bachelor of arts in jazz studies at the UNC-Greensboro School of Music. In addition to playing in various combos, Liles has been a member of both the UNCG Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble.

Kinchen is a recent alumnus of UNCG's Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program. At UNCG, Kinchen performed in the UNCG Jazz Ensemble as well as in numerous small combos. Not only is he a talented saxophonist, he is also a skilled composer and arranger. He currently resides in Greensboro.

Originally from Chapel Hill, Shadwick has performed with a number of jazz combos at UNCG over the years. In addition to his musical activities at the university, Shadwick is an in-demand bassist who performs frequently in the Greensboro area.

Faust is a versatile drummer from Greensboro. He is currently involved in several jazz groups, including the UNCG Jazz Ensemble, the Keenan McKenzie Quartet, the Andrew Calhoun Quartet, and the Steve Haines Trio. Faust also has extensive experience playing in pit orchestras for musicals, playing in church groups, and is the drummer for The Soul Brothers, a James Brown tribute band.

For more information on the Cultural Arts series at Randolph Community College, call 336-633-0244, or visit www.randolph.edu.

Randolph Community College Spring Registration Nov. 30-Dec. 3

Registration for new and returning Randolph Community College students for spring 2010 curriculum classes will be held between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, at RCC's Asheboro Campus. Students must meet with their advisors before registering.

New student advising will be held Nov. 16-20, Nov. 23 and 24, and Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Students who have already completed their application process, including placement testing, should sign up for an advising session on these dates. Students should go to the RCC Web site at www.randolph.edu, click on the Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration banner, and sign in to view the orientation and make an appointment.

Students in the Archdale/Trinity area wishing to register for videoconferencing courses offered at the Archdale Center may register in Archdale during the same hours. In addition, online registration will be available to all students who have completed their admissions process and advising appointments.

Late registration will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Spring classes begin Monday, Jan. 11. An additional late registration/schedule adjustment period will be held Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11 and 12. On these days, students may enroll only in classes that have not held the first class meeting.

Before registering, all new students must 1) complete an RCC admissions application, 2) verify that required official transcripts have been received by RCC, 3) take placement testing or submit SAT/ACT scores, 4) complete financial aid paperwork (if appropriate), and 5) complete an orientation session. Students who haven't completed the admissions process yet or those who are returning to RCC after an absence of one semester or more should call 336-633-0224 today or go to www.randolph.edu and click on the "How to Enroll" Quick Link.

Randolph Community College to Hold Instructor Job Fair Dec. 3

Randolph Community College will hold an Instructor Job Fair on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m. in the Photography Imaging Center on the Asheboro Campus. Qualified individuals interested in teaching part-time curriculum (credit), continuing education (noncredit), and basic skills classes are encouraged to attend this job fair. Potential instructors will have the opportunity to speak with academic department representatives and human resources personnel. Please bring your resume with you. Job applications will be available.

Part-time instructors are needed for future academic Curriculum courses such as English, Developmental Math, Biology, Reading, Interior Design, Nursing, Cosmetology, Medical Office Administration, Industrial Engineering, History, Psychology, Sociology, Industrial Systems, Machining, Automotive, Autobody, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Spanish.

Part-time instructors are also needed for a variety of Continuing Education courses such as Plumbing, Hospitality (Hotel/Motel Management), Office Management, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Potential instructors may be interested in teaching personal enrichment courses related to hobbies or special interests such as ballroom dancing, yoga, Pilates, painting, dog obedience, foreign travel, and many others. Come share your passion and experience with adult learners.

In addition, part-time instructors are needed for basic skills classes, including GED (General Educational Development Diploma) and adult high school.

For more information, call Caitlin Thompson, director of human resources, at 336-633-0256 or e-mail acthompson@randolph.edu. Directions and maps can be found at www.randolph.edu.

Cosmetology Assistance Fund Established Through Randolph Community College Foundation

A Cosmetology Assistance Fund has been established through the Randolph Community College Foundation to assist RCC Cosmetology students with expenses related to the program.

According to Tammy Matthews, Cosmetology program head, the initial supply kit to enter the program runs over $500, plus students must purchase a $100 cart to hold supplies, textbooks totaling around $276, and uniforms. This is in addition to tuition and regular student fees. "We established the new assistance fund to help needy students purchase the supplies that are required," said Matthews.

A second class of Cosmetology students will begin classes in January. The new Cosmetology Center at 1003 S. Fayetteville Street started offering services to the public on Nov. 5. For more information on the program or salon, go to http://www.randolph.edu/cosmetology/.

If you would like to submit a gift to the RCC Foundation for the Cosmetology Assistance Fund, contact Joyce Wolford, executive director, at 336-633-0295, e-mail jbwolford@randolph.edu, or send a check to the RCC Foundation, P.O. Box 1009, Asheboro, N.C. 27204-1009.

Fetner Photos Published in Carolina Country Magazine

Randolph Community College portrait photography instructor Ashley Fetner had images published on the cover and inside of the November issue of Carolina Country magazine.

Fetner's photo of a barn and seasonal colors along Deerfield Road near Boone, Watauga County, is featured on this month's cover of the magazine published by North Carolina's electric cooperatives.

Inside, Fetner's photos of Shiloh Methodist Church near Troy in Montgomery County accompany a story written by his wife, Kay.

Fetner, who has taught photography at Randolph Community College since 2002, is also a graduate of RCC's program. After graduating from RCC and serving a two-year apprenticeship with a former White House and theatrical photographer, Fetner established his own fine art and portrait studio. He has won numerous awards for his portrait and fine art images.

To view the photos and this month's Carolina Country magazine, go to www.carolinacountry.com.

Randolph Community College Opens Cosmetology Center to the Public

The 18 students in the inaugural class of Randolph Community College's new Cosmetology program helped open the Cosmetology Center to the public on Nov. 5 by participating in a ribbon cutting attended by state and local dignitaries, RCC faculty and staff, family members, and community members.

Speakers at the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony included Mac Sherrill, vice chair of the RCC Board of Trustees; Dr. Robert Shackleford, RCC president; Anne Hockett, vice president for instructional services; Tammy Matthews, lead instructor for the Cosmetology program; and two students.

"We've been preparing for this for about a year," said Shackleford. "This is the public opening of our new Cosmetology Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students that are pursuing the career of their dreams. This is also an exciting opportunity for the public. We can come in here and get haircuts at a great discount." Shackleford told the crowd not to think of the students as novices, because they had been working for several months, practicing on mannequins, each other, and family members. "These are the men and women who are going to be working at the salons that you go to in just a few months," he said.

Student Gena Trogdon told the crowd that she had wanted to do hair since she was a little girl. "I graduated high school in 1998 and intended to go to school. But I got married and had a baby and life happened," she said. She eventually became a single mom and had a good job, but was laid off. "I was looking for a job and saw an article in the paper about RCC's Cosmetology program. From there, everything just fell right into place."

Student Keione Covington said, "I believe destiny brought me here. I can't remember how long I have wanted to be a cosmetologist." After high school, Covington got a track scholarship to N.C. State, but did not finish her degree. She had children and went to work, but was let go from her job after her last pregnancy led to complications that kept her out of work too long. She was looking for another job when she heard about RCC's Cosmetology program.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, student Jennifer Gneiting gave President Shackleford the official "first haircut." Also getting one of the first cuts was Donald Andrews, superintendent of Randolph County Schools. Felix McNeill, the only male in the inaugural class, was Andrews' stylist.

The 6,000-square-foot Cosmetology Center, located in Hillside Shopping Center at 1003 S. Fayetteville Street, will accommodate 36 students at a time at styling stations on the floor, plus students in two classrooms. A second class of Cosmetology students will enroll in January. The Center holds 10 shampoo stations, 12 dryers, a waxing room, and a manicure/pedicure area.

Students will serve clients on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m.-12 noon, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from 8:15-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Senior Appreciation Day is Thursday; all services are one-half price. Prices range from $5 for a simple haircut, to $30 for an initial bleach. Permanent waves range from $18 to $30. The cost is $5 for a manicure and $10 for a pedicure. A full price list is available on RCC's Web Site at www.randolph.edu/cosmetology/.

Photos from the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony/Grand Opening

Forty-One Randolph Community College Students Inducted Into Honor Society

Forty-one students were welcomed into Beta Theta Rho, Randolph Community College's Five-Star Phi Theta Kappa chapter, during the fall induction ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium on the Asheboro Campus. RCC President Robert S. Shackleford Jr. was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

Phi Theta Kappa is the only internationally acclaimed honor society serving two-year institutions that offer associate degree programs. It affords international recognition to students of distinguished achievement and provides a vehicle that reflects the academic integrity of the associate degree program. The Five Star status for PTK chapters recognizes progress in the attainment of goals set by the chapter. These chapters have met a higher standard of quality programming.

In order to become a member of PTK, a student must have completed 12 hours of credit, have declared a major, carry a full-time course load, and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

New PTK members inducted Wednesday included the following:
Asheboro: Melanie Luck Avelino, Sarah Elizabeth Blackwell, Megan Dorothy Cates, Pattie Cockman Chriscoe, Kimberly Dawn Clark, Melissa Diane Lester, Ashley Renee Lizzio, Leo Robert Ness III, Charlie James Painter, Barbara Ann Robinson, Daniel Wayne Smith, Constance Elliott Ulrich, Shawn Sumner Vuncannon, Jennifer Bowland Watson, Ariel Monique Weeks.
Denton: Christopher Fay Fleck, Richard Bryan Kennedy, Brenda Vuncannon Lawrence.
Franklinville: Ashley Michelle Caudle, Tammy Keaton Collins.
Liberty: Beena Kumari Asokan, Mercedes M. Caskey.
New London: Kane Y. Gathings.
Ramseur: Angela Latkowski Hussey, Lindsey Beth King, Stephen Clayton Kleisner, Jessica Solis.
Randleman: Angela R. Bare, Rebecca Nicole Cheek, Crystal Anne Clewis, Jennifer Elaine Felix, Tiffiny Johnson Townsend.
Seagrove: Sylvia Singleton Morgan.
Siler City: Robert L. Hayes, Wendy Renee Lemons.
Sophia: Donna Lynn Camp.
Star: Heather Dixon Callicutt, Penny R. Hamilton, Alice Ann Lewis.
Thomasville: Welborn Keith Jones.
Trinity: Ilena M. Beck.

JobsNOW Information Sessions Set for Nov. 10, 12, Dec. 1, 3 at Randolph Community College

If you are looking for a job or a new career, you could learn new skills in six months or less through the new JobsNOW training program scheduled to begin in January at Randolph Community College. The first information sessions are set for Nov. 10 and 12 and Dec. 1 and 3 at both the Asheboro Campus and the Archdale Center.

The JobsNOW "12 in 6" initiative, which identified 12 training areas that can be completed in 6 months or less, is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) responding to the need to get people back to work. Individual community colleges are charged with offering classes in those fields where jobs are available in their service areas. Randolph Community College has chosen four continuing education career pathways for which sustainable jobs are available in the region. All may be completed in 6 months or less and offer a wide salary range. They are 1) Nursing Assistant, (2) Office/Clerical, (3) Hospitality, and (4) Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Industrial Maintenance.

Randolph County JobLink Career Center will offer tuition assistance for those who qualify. To apply for tuition assistance, prospective students must attend one of the information sessions. Those who do not qualify for tuition assistance may enroll in a training program by paying tuition. Exact costs will be determined by the specific program chosen by the student.

JobsNOW 12 in 6 Information Sessions are scheduled as follows: Asheboro Campus, Administration/Education Center, Room 018: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1-2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1-2 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 3, 6-7 p.m.; Archdale Center: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6-7 p.m., Room 321; Thursday, Nov. 12, 10-11 a.m., Room 305; Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6-7 p.m., Room 321; Thursday, Dec. 3, 10-11 a.m., Room 321.

The JobsNOW 12 in 6 funds are provided through ARRA to the state of North Carolina and are supported by the Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Development, Randolph County JobLink Career Center, and the Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board.

For more information about this program, contact Elizabeth Kremer, 12 in 6 JobsNOW coordinator at RCC, 336-633-0228, epkremer@randolph.edu; or Adrianne Siler, 12 in 6 JobsNOW administrative assistant, 336-633-0335, amsiler@randolph.edu.

Upcoming Randolph Community College Class Focuses on Choosing Video Games

The holiday shopping season is fast approaching and at the top of the wish list for most children and teenagers is a new video game. As a parent or a grandparent, how do you know what to buy? Randolph Community College is offering a one-session class that might help.

"How to Buy Video Games for Children" is designed to help adults make better decisions when buying video games for their children or grandchildren. "I think, often times, children want games that they are not mature enough to play," said Tina Dixon, coordinator of computer programs for the Continuing Education Division at RCC. "This class will help parents understand game ratings."

In addition, there are so many gaming systems available, it is difficult to know the difference, and most games and accessories are not interchangeable. This class will help shoppers make those distinctions.

Participants have a choice of two class times: from 9 a.m.-12 noon on Friday, Nov. 6, or from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3. Both classes meet at the Asheboro Campus, and the cost is $10.

For more information or to register, call the Asheboro Campus at 336-633-0268.

Grand Opening of Randolph Community College Cosmetology Center Set for Nov. 5

The 18 students who began cosmetology classes at the Randolph Community College Cosmetology Center in August are ready to begin serving customers for haircuts, shampoos and styling, permanents, hair coloring, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and facials. The Center will begin taking walk-in clients on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the grand opening, beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5. The brief ceremony will include remarks by various RCC dignitaries and a couple of Cosmetology students. One of the students will then give the "first haircut" to RCC President Bob Shackleford. Light refreshments will be available. The public can take a self-tour of the facility and enter a drawing for various door prizes.

For more on this story, go to: http://www.randolph.edu/print-page.php?page=/newevents/2009/2009-10-23.php

Randolph Community College To Host 600 High School Students at Technology Career Days on Oct. 27 and 28

Around 600 career technical education students from Piedmont-area high schools will be on the campus of Randolph Community College Oct. 27 and 28 to attend Technology Career Days '09. The event, which is funded in part by the Piedmont Triad Partnership through a US DOL WIRED Grant, provides an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn about rewarding careers in high-technology industries.

During the event, students will participate in interactive exhibits and have hands-on access to technology fields such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, robotics and automation, GPS and RFID technologies, high performance engines, digital design, and software design and development.

North Carolina Lt. Governor Walter Dalton will be at the event on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1:30 p.m. to give closing remarks for the first day. State Representative Pat Hurley is also expected to attend.

Students from the following counties are expected: Alamance, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin. Around 300 students are expected each day.

Pfeiffer Elementary Education Info Session Nov. 5 at Randolph Community College

Area residents who wish to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education without leaving Randolph County should attend a University Center of Randolph County orientation and information session set for Thursday, Nov. 5, at Randolph Community College's Asheboro Campus. Under this program, the general education courses are offered through Randolph Community College, and the four-year degree is granted by Pfeiffer University. The session will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in Computer Technology Center Room 110.

In order to transfer to Pfeiffer, students need to have completed 24 college-level credits, about eight classes. The courses can transfer from other colleges or can be taken at RCC. It is recommended that students complete most of the RCC classes before applying to Pfeiffer early in a fall semester. Students can transfer into the Pfeiffer program to begin in the spring semester, so long as there are enough students to support the program.

Pfeiffer classes are held on Monday nights at the Asheboro Campus and through online courses. There are a few semesters when students would have day classes for school observations and student teaching.

For more information, contact Maria LeBaron, RCC Pfeiffer elementary education advisor, at mblebaron@randolph.edu or 336-633-0297, or Dr. James Ritter, associate professor of elementary education at Pfeiffer, james.ritter@pfeiffer.edu, or 704-463-3173.

Randolph Community College Graduates Win Prizes in N.C. State Photo Exhibit

Two Randolph Community College Photographic Technology graduates won prizes in the "China Through My Eyes" juried photo exhibition at North Carolina State University recently.

On Oct. 1, the Confucius Institute at N.C. State hosted the exhibition at Talley Student Center as part of the celebration of China's 60th Anniversary. RCC Portrait Studio Management graduate K.C. Smith, of Lexington, won first prize in the People & Culture category for her photo titled "Downtown Shanghai." Adam Sikora, a Commercial Photography graduate from Siler City, won second prize in the Landscape category for his photo, "Panoramic Photograph Taken at the Great Wall of China, Beijing."

Smith and Sikora were among the RCC graduates and students who traveled with Photographic Technology instructor John Rash to Nanjing in May on a photo exploration trip. The students worked together with the students at Nanjing Normal University to capture their own impressions of China.

In addition, RCC student and graduate photographs captured in China were on display at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Autumn Moon Festival event on Oct. 10. The event was a public gathering with talks and presentations on Moon Festival customs and activities, as well as performances of traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean arts (the three East Asian countries that currently celebrate the mid-autumn holiday on the same lunar calendar).

Randolph Early College High School Measures Success

Randolph Early College High School, which opened its doors on the Randolph Community College campus in fall of 2006, has had unprecedented success, according to state and local reports. The school enrolled its fourth class of freshmen this fall and has 65 seniors on track to graduate this spring. Approximately 50 are expected to complete their associate degree from RCC as well as their high school diploma.

"That is very exciting," said Cathy Waddell, RECHS principal. "None of us really thought that far out. It was a dream." Under the early college high school model, students can earn their high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credit or an associate degree in four or five years.

Out of a total of 76 seniors, 11 have chosen the fifth year option, according to Nancy Cross, RECHS liaison. That could be for several reasons, she said. "They might need extra time or want to take a lighter load and spread the experience out to a fifth year." They also might be pursuing a technical degree at RCC, like Photographic Technology, which takes extra time to finish because of scheduling. Those who choose to graduate in four years without an associate degree will be able to transfer the college credits they have completed to whatever college they decide to attend. They might choose this option because "not all college credit programs are accessible to our students as high school students," said Cross, like Nursing or Radiography that have further entrance requirements.

To read the entire story, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2009/2009-10-13.php.

Alzheimer's/Dementia Seminar Set at Randolph Community College Archdale Center Oct. 15

A free seminar for caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Archdale Center of Randolph Community College. "Facing a Future with Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Addressing Caregiver Concerns in the Community" will cover topics such as "How to Recognize It," "How to Treat It," "How Am I Going to Pay for It," and "Where Do I Go From Here?"

Presenters will include Lanie Pope, meteorologist for WXII-Channel 12, who will recount her personal story; Dr. Chester Hayworth, Cornerstone Neurological Associates; and an elder law attorney. The event is sponsored by Brookdale Senior Living of High Point, Randolph County Senior Adult Association-Archdale Center, and Randolph Community College.

The RCC Archdale Center is located at 110 Park Drive, just off of Highway 311, in Creekside Park. Call Debbie Dalton at 336-471-0584 or Rhonda Winters at 336-862-7986 for more information.

Salem College/RCC University Center Program Growing

The Salem College Business Administration program offered through the University Center of Randolph County increased enrollment 400% this fall, according to Ed Hartgrove Jr., who is executive-in-residence for the Department of Business & Economics at Salem College. Hartgrove also serves as a coordinator of the program with Randolph Community College and teaches classes.

The program, which was just introduced last year, had only three students taking two classes until this fall, when enrollment jumped to 12 students taking three classes each. There are 20 slots available in the program.

To read the whole story, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2009/2009-10-06a.php.

N.C. Touring Theatre to Present "Piece Work" at Randolph Community College

The Touring Theatre of North Carolina will perform "Piece Work," a theater piece based on Barbara Presnell's highly acclaimed collection of poems about North Carolina's dying textile industry, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, as part of Randolph Community College's 2009-2010 Cultural Arts Series. The 7 p.m. performance, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium on the Asheboro Campus, is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so go to RCC's Web site to download a free ticket at www.randolph.edu/newevents/culturalarts.php.

"Piece Work" celebrates people who work in industry, specifically textiles. Accented by folk and blues, workers tell their stories to audience members and each other as they face unemployment, re-education and other life changes. Even though Presnell's characters are connected to textiles, their voices resonate with the ring of the tobacco farmer, the factory worker, the nurse's aid, the hotel maid, and other Southerners.

Touring Theatre of North Carolina is an educational, professional, nonprofit theater company based in Greensboro, N.C., since 1981. All of its works are original adaptations from literature and historical documents. These works call into focus issues of culture, race, and gender.

For more information on the Cultural Arts series, call 336-633-0244, or visit www.randolph.edu.

Thirteen Students Chosen for Randolph Community College Student Leadership Academy

Thirteen students have been chosen for Randolph Community College's third annual Student Leadership Academy based on a competitive process that considered leadership experience, leadership potential, and a letter of reference from a faculty member.

The Student Leadership Academy, which has been revamped this year from a one-day spring event to four evening sessions throughout the academic year, will offer students the opportunity to learn about leadership from local and regional leaders. Participants will have the chance to identify their own leadership styles and learn how to use these styles effectively. Students will create a personal portfolio, which will be reviewed by Human Resource professionals who will give feedback to assist in developing a more professional polish. One evening will be devoted to leadership and ethics. In addition, new this year, students will be involved in a Student Leadership Project.

"I hope to learn…new leadership skills that would help me succeed throughout college life," said RCC College Transfer student Roman Bogdanov in his Leadership Academy application. Bogdanov, a Russian exchange student who attended one year of high school in Randolph County, came back to America for college. "This academy would also help me to learn more about American culture and see a perspective of leadership from the American point of view."

Sarah Cooper, a Portrait Studio Management student chosen to attend the Academy, said, "As a future small business owner, I will need leadership skills as I deal with interns, assistants, and other business managers. …I also want to gain more self-confidence in my abilities to take on additional projects, such as fundraisers and partnerships, which will require leadership skills."

The dates for the 2009-10 Student Leadership Academy sessions are Thursday, Oct. 22, Tuesday, Nov. 17, Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Tuesday, April 13. Each student chosen has been asked to complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a personality assessment. The students will meet with an RCC counselor personally to discuss the results, and there will be a discussion in the first Leadership session on personality types and leadership styles. The October session also will include a discussion about "What is Leadership" by Dr. Robert Shackleford, president of Randolph Community College, and an introduction to the Student Leadership Project.

Sponsors of this year's Student Leadership Academy are Dr. Stuart Fountain and Dr. Alan S. Luria.

The student members of the Randolph Community College 2010 Student Leadership Academy, their majors, and hometowns are as follows:
Kristine Beck, Randolph Early College High School, Franklinville
Daniel Billings, Randolph Early College High School, Thomasville
Roman Bogdanov, Associate in Arts (College Transfer), Franklinville
Sarah Jurek Cooper, Photographic Technology (Portrait Studio Management), Cary
Timothy Layne Crossno, Healthcare Management Technology, Trinity
Quyen Du, Randolph Early College High School, Archdale
Amber Grimmett, Associate Degree Nursing, Trinity
Tiffany Ashley Lucas, Healthcare Management Technology, Denton
Trista Marsh, Associate Degree Nursing, Siler City
Yoselin Perez Vallejo, Randolph Early College High School, Randleman
Greg Sumner, Entrepreneurship, Trinity
Ashley Nicole Taylor, Randolph Early College High School, Ramseur
Robbie White II, Business Administration, Asheboro

Taxidermy Course Set to Begin Oct. 12 at Randolph Community College in Asheboro

If you are an avid hunter and always dreamed of mounting your own specimens or are looking for a part-time job or retirement income, you can learn professional taxidermy from qualified instructors through Randolph Community College's Continuing Education Division. RCC will offer a Taxidermy: Small Game class beginning Oct. 12 on the Asheboro Campus. This class is one component of a four-part training program for students wishing to become professional taxidermists.

The program covers small game (fall), large game (winter), birds (spring), and fish (summer). However, courses can be taken individually. Students will be advised about the acquisition of taxidermy tools. Students must provide their own legally obtained specimens specific to the season.

The Small Game class will meet from 6-10 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Oct. 12 through December 16. Registration fee is $180. For more information or to register, call 336-633-0268 in Asheboro or 336-862-7980 in Archdale.

Fetner Photography Exhibit Opens at Randolph Hospital

Randolph Community College portrait photography instructor Ashley Fetner has a photography exhibit opening today in the Monumental Stairwell in the Outpatient Center at Randolph Hospital. Fetner has nine images on display through Nov. 6.

The theme for the Community Arts Exhibit at Randolph Hospital is "Healing Art." The goal is to provide an interesting and healing environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers; and to support Randolph County's creative community by showcasing works in designated exhibit spaces in the facility. The public is invited to tour the exhibit Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Fetner, who has taught photography at Randolph Community College since 2002, is also a graduate of RCC's program. After graduating from RCC and serving a two-year apprenticeship with a former White House and theatrical photographer, Fetner established his own fine art and portrait studio. He has won numerous awards for his portrait and fine art images.

Randolph Community College Compensatory Education Information Session Oct. 6

Randolph Community College is restructuring its Compensatory Education program to serve more students and will be taking new applications for enrollment in the program. An information session for parents and guardians has been scheduled for 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium on the Asheboro Campus. RCC President Robert S. Shackleford will speak, and program personnel will be available to answer questions.

In recognition of October as National Disabilities Awareness Month, the College will also host an information and resource fair featuring different organizations that offer services to individuals with disabilities in Randolph County. They will be set up in the lobby of the LRC.

For more information, go to RCC's Web site.

Randolph Community College To Participate in UNC Research Project

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will partner with Randolph Community College on a research project to improve cervical and breast cancer screening for women with developmental disabilities. RCC is one of several community colleges taking part in the project led by Susan L. Parish, associate professor in the School of Social Work at UNC.

Parish said studies have found that women with developmental disabilities usually have very low rates of screening for cervical and breast cancer. The project will test the effectiveness of a class, called Women Be Healthy, which will teach the women the importance of these screenings.

Students in Randolph Community College's Compensatory Education program will participate in this research project. The Compensatory Education program gives educational opportunities to adults 17 years or older with intellectual disabilities or traumatic brain injuries.

UNC researchers will visit RCC to recruit the women for the project and train RCC teachers in the Women Be Healthy curriculum. The class, an 8-week course with 90 minutes per class, will be taught in the spring semester as part of the normal Compensatory Education curriculum, which consists of seven required subject areas: language, math, social science, community living, consumer education, health, and vocational education.

Tonya Monroe, RCC Compensatory Education coordinator, said the class will teach the women how to do self-examinations, how to talk to doctors, and how to be their own health advocates. It will involve students at the Asheboro Campus, RCC's Archdale Center, and an RCC class held at Goodwill Industries.

The UNC researchers will follow the women for approximately two years to find out about their cancer screening appointments. Women who do not take the class this January will be put on a waiting list and will able to complete the class at the end of the project. Approximately 15 students from RCC are expected to participate and a total of 160 women across the state will be involved in the project.

The project is being funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, said Parish, who has been at UNC since 2003. She also directs UNC's Developmental Disabilities Training Institute, which conducts research and training across North Carolina. Parish earned a bachelor's degree in English from Rutgers College, a master's degree in Social Work from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of people with disabilities.

World Stage Held at Randolph Community College

Photo gallery online now.

The Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, traditional Mexican dancers from Asheboro, was among the groups performing at Randolph Community College’s World Stage event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, on the Asheboro Campus. About 125 people gathered at RCC to enjoy the entertainment and sample food from various cultures.

Asheboro Kenjutsu instructor John Sutton demonstrated his experience in several Japanese martial arts, including Togakure, Nito Kendo, and Iaido. Other entertainment at RCC’s World Stage included Japanese Taiko drumming, Carolina Fusion cloggers, a Riverdance performance by Hanna Williams of Studio J in Asheboro, a yoga demonstration by Jacquie Reininger, a dulcimer performance by Ben Talbot, and a video from a trip to Nanjing Normal University in China by RCC photography instructor John Rash and 10 RCC students in May.

Japanese Taiko Drumming is characterized by choreographed arm and body movements and has cardiovascular benefits. The Earth Spirit Taiko Drumming group who performed included instructor Jim Sink, Wayne Harris, Martha Bisher, Joanne Martell, Lisa Johnson, and Susan Jarrett. Sink teaches a class in this type of drumming, called Drum For Fun, through RCC’s Continuing Education division.

This was the first in a series of Cultural Arts events planned for the 2009-10 school year. For more information on upcoming events, click here.

RCC Foundation Awards Over $113,000 in Scholarships

The Randolph Community College Foundation has awarded over $113,000 in scholarships to 133 students for the 2009-2010 academic year. An additional $6,700 will be awarded during the school year. These scholarships are for Curriculum students pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate program.

Most of the Foundation's scholarship funds come from endowments that enable the Foundation to award scholarships each year. The principal in these scholarship funds is invested and a portion of the earnings is used to award scholarships. Currently, an investment of $10,000 will fully endow a scholarship to assist RCC students in perpetuity.

The Foundation also accepts designated scholarships in which contributions to the fund are paid out to students. Designated scholarships may be established in any amount.

According to Joyce Wolford, executive director of the RCC Foundation, "Money is an obstacle that prohibits many people for beginning or finishing their college education. With the help of generous donors from our community, the Foundation is able to assist students as they fulfill their dreams."

In addition to Curriculum scholarships, the RCC Foundation also provides assistance to Continuing Education students pursuing occupational training and to the College to help start new programs, fund equipment, provide unique opportunities to students, and to fund other endeavors that provide a margin of excellence for RCC's students.

For information on contributing to the RCC Foundation, contact Joyce Wolford at (336) 633-0295 or jbwolford@randolph.edu.

Randolph Community College To Host Constitution Day Roundtable Sept. 17

Randolph Community College will celebrate Constitution Day this Thursday, Sept. 17, by hosting a roundtable discussion that is open to the public.

RCC history instructors Lewis Edwards, James Marlowe, Dr. Robert Patrick, and Lane Moore will make up the panel. After giving a brief overview about the Constitution and its creators, the panel will lead an audience discussion about this important national document.

The community is invited to this event, which will be held at 4 p.m. in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium on the Asheboro Campus, 629 Industrial Park Avenue. Take the McDowell Road exit off Highway 220 Bypass (Future I-73/I-74), just south of the interchange with Highways 64 and 49, and follow the signs.

Randolph Community College Enrollment Up; 2009-10 Initiatives Named

Randolph Community College opened the 2009-10 school year with a record number of students, a new brand, and several new goals that are personal initiatives of President Robert S. Shackleford Jr.

As of the fall semester census date, 3,022 students had enrolled in college credit classes. That number is an all-time high for RCC and is a 13.4% increase over last fall's enrollment of 2,664. To learn more, click here.

Cake Decorating, Social Networking, Activity Coordinator, Dog Training, Watercolor Painting Classes Set

Randolph County residents can pick up a variety of skills through Continuing Education classes this fall at Randolph Community College in both Asheboro and Archdale. Upcoming classes focus on cake decorating, activity coordinator training, dog obedience training, social networking, and watercolor painting.

If you are out of work and looking for new, marketable skills, consider becoming an activity coordinator in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The Activity Coordinator Certification class will meet from 6-9 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays, Sept. 14-Nov. 23 at the Archdale Center. Registration is $175, plus the cost of a textbook. This course fulfills the requirements for the N.C. State certification to become an Activity Coordinator.

The fine art of cake decorating is a wonderful skill that you can use to impress your family and friends. Unveil the artist inside you with this cake decorating class and possibly supplement your income. An overview of the various tools of the trade, demonstrations on how to turn your vision into reality, and plenty of hands-on decorating will be included. Supplies will be discussed at the first Cake Decorating, Level I, class session. The Archdale Center class will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 14-Oct. 26. The Asheboro Campus class will meet from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 27. Registration is $65, plus supplies.

Basic dog training can make your dog a pleasure to be with and improve your dog's attentiveness and rapport with you. Start with vocal commands on a leash and progress to off-lead commands. The $35 fee for Beginning Dog Obedience Training covers one person working with one dog for the entire course. The Asheboro Campus class will be held from 7-8 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Nov. 3. The Archdale Center class will meet from 7-8 p.m., Wednesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 28.

Learn more about social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace in this class called Set Up and Safely Use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. This class will be held at the Archdale Center, and the registration fee is $65. The class will meet from 6-8 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 14-Nov. 16.

Learn brush techniques, approaches to subjects, composition, layout, and other aspects of painting in a Beginning Watercolor Painting class at the Archdale Center. The class will meet from 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Nov. 10. Cost is $40.

To register for these courses or for more information, call 336-633-0268 in Asheboro or 336-862-7980 in Archdale.

RCC Kicks Off Cultural Arts Series with World Stage Sept. 15

Randolph Community College will kick off its 2009-10 Cultural Arts Series with a World Stage event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, on the Asheboro Campus.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature samples of international cuisine, martial arts demonstrations, a photography exhibit, and performances that represent a variety of nations and cultures. The food and demonstrations begin at 6 p.m. in the plaza between the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center and the Student Services Center. Performances begin at 7 p.m. in the LRC auditorium. Seating is limited, so go to RCC's Web site to download a free ticket at www.randolph.edu/newevents/culturalarts.php.

Upcoming events include the following. Many events are free of charge.
Piece Work, featuring the Touring Theatre of North Carolina, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Holiday Concert & Tree Lighting, featuring an instrumental quartet, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2.
The Quest: The Journey of the Literary Hero and the Ordinary Man, an interactive, thought-provoking lecture by English instructor Jennifer Macy, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21.
An Evening With Fred Chappell, former N.C. Poet Laureate, Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Wiley and the Hairy Man, presented by UNCG's Theatre for Young People, 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24.
Harmonious Hodgepodge, a night of homespun music, 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 20.

Other special events for the year include a Meditation, Relaxation, and Yoga workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 7-8 p.m., in RCC's Foundation Conference Center, and Classic Movie Nights set for 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 in the LRC auditorium.

For more information on the Cultural Arts series, call 336-633-0244, or visit www.randolph.edu.

Real Estate Broker License Class Set to Begin Sept. 14 at Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College has postponed the beginning of its Provisional Broker Real Estate Licensing course for fall. The class will begin on Monday, Sept. 14, and run through Dec. 14. The class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. on the Asheboro Campus.

Persons applying for initial licensure (a broker license) are required to complete this 75-hour prelicensing broker course and pass the course final exam and the state license examination in order to qualify for licensure. Each newly licensed broker will be classified as a "provisional broker." The provisional broker must, within three years of initial licensure, complete an additional 90-hour postlicensing education program (to be taken as three separate 30-hour courses) in order to retain his or her broker license (and terminate the provisional license status).

The registration fee for the course is $181. Students should call 336-633-0268 in Asheboro or 336-862-7980 in Archdale to register for the Asheboro course.

Randolph Community College Interior Design Project Aids Alzheimer's Care Center

Six Randolph Community College Interior Design students gained some real world experience this summer working on design plans for the community areas of the Alzheimer's Care Center at Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro. The students presented their designs to members of Cross Road's board of directors and staff recently.

For the entire story, see RCC's Web site.

Elbert Lassiter Joins RCC Board of Trustees

Elbert J. Lassiter, plant manager for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., has been appointed to serve a four-year term on the Randolph Community College Board of Trustees. Lassiter was appointed to the Board by N.C. Governor Beverly Perdue and took his oath of office in July.

For more information, read the story on RCC's Web site.

Randolph Community College to Offer EMT-Intermediate on Flip-Flop Schedule

Randolph Community College will offer an EMT-Intermediate class on a flip-flop schedule this fall to allow students flexibility with their schedules. "This schedule is designed to assist those individuals seeking to obtain their EMT-Intermediate credential while working in EMS," said Ken Fields, coordinator/instructor of emergency services for RCC.

Fields said two courses would run parallel with one meeting on Monday and Wednesday evenings and the other meeting on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For example, if a student has as conflict with attending the Monday evening session, he/she can attend the Tuesday morning session instead. Both classes also meet on Saturdays.

The EMT-Intermediate program consists of 174 classroom and lab hours and 96 clinical hours. Prerequisites include completion of all EMT-Basic requirements, high school diploma or GED, successful completion of an entrance exam assessing basic reading comprehension and English language writing skills on a post-secondary level, and demonstration of mathematical skills at a minimum of the high school grade level. An application is required.

The first course will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The second class begins Thursday, Sept. 17, and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Both classes meet on the Asheboro Campus through January 2010.

An EMT-Paramedic course is planned for the spring semester to begin in February 2010.

For more information or to register, call 336-633-0268 in Asheboro or 336-862-7980 in Archdale.

Randolph Community College ADN, CNA Graduates Achieve 100% Pass Rate on Exams

Randolph Community College's recently graduated Associate Degree Nursing class completed their NCLEX-RN state board exams with a 100% pass rate.

In addition, RCC's Certified Nursing Assistant class just had a 100% pass rate on their board exams.

See the story on RCC's Web site for more information.

Randolph Community College Fall Continuing Education Schedule Online

Randolph Community College has posted its fall 2009 Continuing Education Preview schedule of courses online. The Preview schedule had previously been printed and mailed to all Randolph County households, but the printed copy has been discontinued to save costs and to be more environmentally friendly.

RCC's Continuing Education courses include noncredit courses in workforce development, business and industry training, teacher renewal, personal enrichment, and basic skills. They include certification courses in areas such as nursing assistant, emergency medical services, fire services, real estate, insurance, electrical, medical office assistant, automotive inspection and safety, and welding.

To obtain a full schedule, go to RCC's home page at www.randolph.edu, pull down the Continuing Ed. menu on the top blue banner, and choose Current Course Schedule (or click here). From there, you can download a pdf version of the full schedule. Students can also browse through the different categories of Continuing Education classes by choosing Programs of Study under the Continuing Ed. pull-down menu (or click here).

For more information on specific courses, or to register, call 336-633-0268 in Asheboro or 336-862-7980 in Archdale. Online registration is also available.

Randolph Community College Announces Summer Honor Roll

Randolph Community College announces the President's List, Dean's List and Honor List for the 2009 summer session.

To be eligible, a student must complete at least 12 credit hours for the session and earn a grade point average of 4.0 for the President's List, 3.50-3.99 for the Dean's List, or 3.00-3.49 for the Honor List. Also, students who complete at least six but less than 12 credit hours for the session and earn a grade point average of 3.00-4.00, excluding Developmental Studies hours and proficiency hours with no incompletes, are eligible for the Honor List.

Congratulations to these students.

See the list here: http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2009/2009-08-10.php

Randolph Community College Student Leadership Academy Application Deadline Sept. 4

Randolph Community College is soliciting applications for its third annual Student Leadership Academy, which has been revamped this year from a one-day spring event to four evening sessions throughout the academic year. Approximately 20 students will be selected to attend the Student Leadership Academy through a competitive application process.

The Student Leadership Academy will offer students the opportunity to learn about leadership from local and regional leaders. Participants will have the chance to identify their own leadership styles and learn how to use these styles effectively. Students will create a personal portfolio, which will be reviewed by Human Resource professionals who will give feedback to assist in developing a more professional polish. One evening will be devoted to leadership and ethics. In addition, new this year, students will be involved in a Student Leadership Project.

The dates for the 2009-10 Student Leadership Academy sessions are Thursday, Oct. 22, Tuesday, Nov. 17, Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Tuesday, April 13. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.

Interested students must fill out an application form and ask an RCC faculty member to submit a letter of reference that addresses their leadership potential. Faculty members may write reference letters for more than one applicant. Any student enrolled in a curriculum program at RCC is eligible to apply. Randolph Early College High School seniors, juniors, and sophomores are also eligible.

Students may obtain an application form by going to RCC's Web site, www.randolph.edu, and clicking on the Student Leadership Academy Quick Link. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday. Sept. 4.

Five Students Complete Welding Certificate Program

Five students became the first to fulfill the requirements for the Welding Certificate Program at Randolph Community College last week. William "Cody" Garner, Rodney Mallard, Andrew Oakerson, James Combs, and Attiquar Raja completed Basic Welding, MIG and TIG Welding, Advanced MIG and TIG Welding, and Basic Pipe Fitting through RCC's Continuing Education Division.

The Pipe Fitting class was made possible by the generous donation of pipe, fittings, and related tools by Marvin Caviness, director emeritus of the RCC Foundation and former Board of Trustees member.

Because of a continuing industry demand for trained welders, RCC will introduce a new 120-hour Welding Precertification class this fall, which will aid students planning to take a welding certification test. Top-paying welding jobs require certification, which is available through the American Welding Society.

In addition, RCC will be offering a Basic Welding class in the Archdale area at Trinity High School beginning Sept. 1. Michael Harmon will be the instructor for this class, which will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6-9 p.m., Sept. 1-Oct. 8. Interested students should call the Archdale Center at (336) 862-7980 to register for this course.

CUTLINE: James Combs (from left), Cody Garner, Andy Oakerson, Rodney Mallard, and Attiquar Raja (not pictured) completed a 120-hour Basic Pipefitting class at Randolph Community College last week. This was the final in a series of four classes required for the College’s Welding Certificate Program.

RCC Photography Graduate Wins Gold in Canada

Greensboro photographer Stacey Haines, a 2003 graduate of Randolph Community College's Photographic Technology program, was the winner of a gold award for the Home & Gardens category at the National Magazine Awards held in Toronto recently. Haines was one of the most nominated photographers with four nominations.

Based in North Carolina, New York and Nova Scotia, Haines is known for her advertising and editorial work. She specializes in natural, light infused lifestyle, food, interiors and travel images. On a recent trip to France she photographed a quaint cooking school and the bucolic Normandy countryside.

Haines has traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, and Europe with images appearing in magazines such as Gourmet, Canadian Home & Country, Westchester Cottages & Gardens, Canadian Gardening, Style At Home, Signature NC and Our State of North Carolina.

The National Magazine Awards Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in Canadian magazine journalism through the judging and awarding of over 2,000 nominee submissions from across the country.

University Center/Salem Information Sessions Aug. 5 & 11

Information sessions on the Salem College program at the University Center of Randolph County will be held on Randolph Community College's Asheboro Campus on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 12-2 p.m. and on Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 7-8:30 p.m., in the Student Services Center conference room. Under the program, students have the opportunity to complete a 4-year degree (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) from Salem College without having to leave Randolph County.

Applications can be submitted up until the day classes begin. Students may enroll in the fall or spring semester. Classes will begin on Thursday, August 27 at 5:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Two courses, Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing, will be taught back to back on Thursday nights and one course, Introduction to Microeconomics, will be taught on Tuesday nights from 5:15-7:15.

For more information, visit www.randolph.edu and click on University Center under the QuickLinks menu, contact Ed Hartgrove, at (336) 917-5855 or ed.hartgrove@salem.edu, or contact Clark Adams, RCC's Salem College liaison for the Business Administration program, at (336) 633-0328 or wcadams@randolph.edu.

RCC Expecting Record Enrollment; Students Should Register Early

Randolph Community College is expecting record numbers of new students this fall and is encouraging all new students to apply and register early.

The number of new applications received by the college so far this summer has exceeded last year's number by over 1,000 applicants, according to RCC President Robert Shackleford. "We are doing everything we can to serve our students," said Shackleford. He noted that meant "innovating rapidly to meet the needs of students who are looking to RCC for hope and help."

One of those innovations is the creation of an advising cadre, made up of 16 faculty advisors and one Student Services counselor who will be in one central location for advising. Students who have already completed their application process, including placement testing, are encouraged to sign up for an early advising session the weeks of July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7. Students should go to the RCC Web site at www.randolph.edu and click on the New Student Orientation and Advising banner to view the orientation and make an appointment. During these half hour sessions, students will meet with an advisor who will help them complete their class registrations. They will then be able to pay their tuition and fees, buy their books, and obtain their student IDs and parking passes.

Students who have not completed their admissions process yet are encouraged to do so by Aug. 3 in order to make an advising appointment during the second week of the advising cadre.

Regular registration on Aug. 11 and 12 is expected to be very crowded and course availability may be very limited by that time. Registration hours on those days will be from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

ManufacturingWorks Career Fair Set for July 30 at Randolph Community College

Randolph County JobLink Career Center is partnering with Randolph Community College to host ManufacturingWorks on Thursday, July 30, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Learning Resources Center parking lot at RCC's Asheboro Campus. The event will feature the award-winning Lenoir Community College Mobile Industrial Training Lab, which will provide tours, demonstrations, and information.

This is a chance for the local workforce to learn about training and career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. These are high-skill, high-wage positions in such industries as biotech, industrial machining, aviation/aerospace, and electronics.

The Asheboro Campus is located at 629 Industrial Park Avenue. Take the McDowell Road exit off of Highway 220 Bypass and follow the signs.

For more information, call the JobLink Career Center at 336-633-0304.

RCC Opens Richard Petty Education Center

Randolph Community College opened its $1,750,000 Richard Petty Education Center today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guests including Richard Petty; his wife Lynda; one of his daughters, Sharon; members of the RCC Board of Trustees; Randolph County and Asheboro City officials; and other dignitaries. The building houses the College's Automotive Systems Technology and Autobody Repair programs. It more than doubles the space the programs had in the old buildings.

Platform speakers included Dr. Bob Shackleford, RCC president; Jim Campbell, chair of the RCC Board of Trustees; Harold Holmes, chair of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners; North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco; Bonnie Renfro, president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, Jon Steindorf, project architect with SchenkelSchultz Architecture; and Brandin Wrisley, president of the Sterling Building Group, the building contractor.

Over 100 community members, student, faculty, and staff gathered for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony held in the automotive shop in the heart of the new building. In introducing the guest of honor, Dr. Shackleford said, "We are pleased to honor our friend, Randolph County's favorite son, with this facility named after him. We pledge to offer in this building an education that is marked by the same drive for excellence and commitment to quality that made Richard Petty 'The King' of his sport."

Petty was given a standing ovation by the crowd and made a few remarks, noting how the automotive industry has grown and the real need for training for automotive and autobody technicians. He downplayed his role in the new building saying, "It took the community to do it… I'm real honored to be able to stand here, not only for me, but to give these students this opportunity."

After the short ceremony, the crowd was invited to tour the facility, and when Petty made himself available for autographs in the lobby, a line quickly formed.

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Basic Electricity Class Begins July 28 at RCC

There is still time to enroll in the Basic Electricity course that begins at Randolph Community College's Asheboro Campus on July 28.

Basic Electricity, which will meet from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 28-Sept. 17, provides an introduction to industrial electrical maintenance and is the beginning class for both the electrical and HVAC noncredit programs at RCC.

This course introduces students to electricity by discussing, defining, and showing the relationships between Ohm's law, volts, amperes, and resistance. Students will solve problems in Direct Current series, parallel, and series parallel circuits. Alternating Current will be discussed including basic terms and three phase AC systems. Students will learn to read electrical schematics and solve various problems associated with electrical flow and troubleshooting using mathematical calculations and test equipment.

Registration is $61.30 plus the cost of a textbook.

For additional information and to register for this course, contact RCC's Continuing Education Information Center at 336-633-0268.

Randolph Community College One of 11 N.C. Community Colleges to Meet "Exceptional" Standards

Randolph Community College was one of 11 community colleges in North Carolina that met "Exceptional Institutional Performance" standards in the annual accountability measures for North Carolina's 58 community colleges, according to a report released yesterday. In addition to meeting or exceeding all eight system standards, these 11 schools met additional performance goals. Those goals were achieving the college performance rates of students who began in, rather than transferred into, the UNC System and attaining at least a 70 percent passing rate for students who sit for a licensure or certification exam for the first time. The accountability measures are based on 2007-08 academic year data.

"I am so proud of our RCC team. Meeting and surpassing these standards says that RCC provides the very highest quality of education and service to our students, as well as to our local businesses and industries," said RCC President Robert S. Shackleford Jr. "The North Carolina legislature and community college system give us these measures that require us to demonstrate how well we are serving our students and community, and we are one of the very few community colleges in the state that made straight As. I am very proud of our faculty and staff who give their dedicated best each day to each student and to our community."

For more details, read the story on RCC's Web page.

Ribbon Cutting/Open House Set for Richard Petty Education Center

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and an Open House have been scheduled for Randolph Community College's new Richard Petty Education Center in July.

Seven-time NASCAR Champion Richard Petty and other dignitaries will be in attendance at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21. The ceremony will be followed by a tour of the facility and a short autograph session that is open to the public.

A separate Open House is set for 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, which will feature product demonstrations, vendors, and food. The public is invited to tour the new 20,000-square-foot facility and view product demonstrations by PPG, Carolina Weld-Tek Inc., SEM Products, Hunter Engineering, and Walter Surface Technologies. Additional vendor booths will include Cornwell Tools, Snap-On Tools, Matco Tools, Carquest Auto Parts, and NAPA Auto Parts.

The Richard Petty Education Center is located on RCC's Asheboro Campus at 629 Industrial Park Avenue. To reach the Asheboro Campus, take the McDowell Road exit off Highway 220 Bypass (Future I-73/I-74), just south of the interchange with Highways 64 and 49.

Class in Freezing/Canning Cancelled

This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment. If you would like to see this class offered again in the future, call (336) 862-7980. Thanks!

More and more people are planting gardens these days whether their goal is to save money at the grocery store or to eat healthier, fresher food. But what happens if you plant too much? And how do you stretch those summer goods throughout the year? Learn about Freezing and Canning Vegetables and Fruits in an upcoming class at Randolph Community College’s Archdale Center.

This two-session class will provide hands-on training in these timeless skills and may inspire you to teach the next generation. Emphasis will be on safety and saving on your grocery bill. A pickled product will be included. Pressure canning will not be demonstrated.

Students may enroll in an evening class, set for 6-9 p.m., Monday, July 13 and July 20, or a morning class, set for 8:30-11:30 a.m., Friday, July 17 and July 24. The registration is $23, plus students will divide the approximately $30 in costs of canning/freezing supplies.

Students may call (336) 862-7980 or (336) 633-0286 to register, or register online at www.randolph.edu/continuinged/schedule.php. The classes will be held at the Archdale Center, located at 110 Park Drive in Creekside Park, just off of Highway 311 south of Archdale.

NCCC Art Exhibition Virtual Tour Open

The 12th annual Community College Art Exhibition has officially opened for viewing at the Caswell Building in downtown Raleigh, and for the first time a virtual tour of the exhibition is available on the NC Community Colleges website.

The exhibition began in 1998, when students, faculty, staff and alumni of the state’s community colleges were asked to submit artwork for display in the system office. Over 1500 pieces were submitted for entry into the 2009 exhibition, with 135 pieces being chosen for display. Forty-five community colleges, from Tri-County to Pamlico, are featured in the current exhibition which includes quilts, pottery, photography, paintings, drawings, furniture, baskets and mixed media.

“The art exhibit is a wonderful way for us to showcase the fantastic talent that can be found at our community colleges,” says NC Community College System President, Dr. Scott Ralls. “Not only do we train the state’s workforce, but we encourage the arts individually and as part of our state’s creative economy.”

A virtual tour of the exhibition is available online at www.nccommunitycolleges.edu. The virtual tour is courtesy of a Wake Technical Community College photography class, under the instruction of Michael R. Schore, instructor of web technologies.

The exhibition features both new and returning artists, and has experienced enormous success over the years, with several pieces being purchased. Since 2002, the North Carolina Department of Insurance has selected pieces from the prior collections for display. In 2006, the North Carolina Museum of Art displayed 19 photographs from previous community college exhibits.

Those interested in learning more about the exhibit should call (919) 807-7100.

Randolph Community College has four pieces in this year's exhibit:

First Floor 101 - "Hurdler" - Photography by Erik Warren, RCC Student
First Floor Lobby - "New York City Boatyard" - Photography by Lauren Welch, RCC Student
Third Floor 301 - "Cold Water Creek" and "Zion Meadow" - Photography by Ashley Fetner, RCC Faculty and Alumnus

Salem College enhances University Center program at RCC

The Salem College Business Administration program, now offered at the University Center of Randolph County at Randolph Community College, will be a greatly enhanced program when classes start again on Aug. 27. One of the most significant enhancements for the fall of 2009 is that students are now able to take three courses per semester instead of two. If students register for all three courses, they can apply for financial aid as full-time students. Students can take one, two, or three courses, but in order to be eligible for financial aid, they must enroll in all three. This major program enhancement allows associate degree graduates to finish their bachelor’s degree in 3 years (3 courses, 6 semesters) instead of 4½ years.

Salem College also offers a Half-Price Grant to all part-time students (taking one or two courses at Salem) without a prior undergraduate degree for the first semester at Salem. If students enroll in one course, the tuition is cut in half. If students enroll in two courses, they pay for one of those courses.

Another program enhancement for fall 2009 is that students will now have the opportunity to choose between two areas of specialization: Marketing or Finance.

Information Sessions on the Salem College program will be held on RCC's Asheboro Campus on Friday, June 26 from 12-2 p.m., July 16 from 7-8:30 p.m., Aug. 5 from 12-2, and Aug. 11 from 7-8:30 in the Student Services Center conference room. Those who attend the sessions on June 26 and Aug. 5 are encouraged to bring their lunch with them. Drinks will be provided at these sessions.

For more information, visit www.randolph.edu, contact Ed Hartgrove, at (336) 917-5855 or ed.hartgrove@salem.edu, or contact Clark Adams, RCC's Salem College liaison for the Business Administration program, at (336) 633-0328 or wcadams@randolph.edu.

Learn to Drive a Truck at RCC

A representative of Crosscountry Truck Driving School is now available every Tuesday at Randolph Community College to answer questions about the Truck Driving Training program offered at RCC. The recruiter will be on the Asheboro Campus from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each Tuesday to answer questions, preapprove potential drivers, and walk students through the application process.

Students should call the Asheboro Campus at (336) 633-0268 or go to www.randolph.edu/truckdriving for more information.

Gain a competitive advantage with E-Notary

Do you offer Notary Public services? Do you want to gain a competitive advantage for your business? Take an electronic notary class at Randolph Community College in Asheboro. It is scheduled for Friday, July 17. For more information, click here.

Meet RCC's Student Ambassadors

Randolph Community College's Foundation Ambassadors for the 2009-10 school year are (from left) Sarah Elizabeth Blackwell, 19, of Asheboro; Susan Parent, 33, of Asheboro; David Luther, 19, of Asheboro; and Jennie Turner Stevens, 34, of Trinity.

Sarah Elizabeth is a 2008 graduate of Asheboro High School, where she was a member of the band and served as an officer and drum major; a member of the Key Club, Beta Club, and Drama Club; and a member of North Carolina Teenage Republicans, for which she served as chairman and treasurer. While in high school, Blackwell received the Tillman Award, the John Philip Sousa Band Award, the Key Club Member of the Month Award, and the AHS Band Member of the Year award. At RCC, she is an Associate in Arts (College Transfer) major with plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to finish her undergraduate degree. Sarah Elizabeth wants to go to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law and eventually become a judge.

An Associate in Arts (College Transfer) major at RCC, David graduated from Walter's Grove Christian Academy. In addition to his studies, Luther holds two part-time jobs, as a music instructor for Monroe's Music and as a laborer for Laco Builders. He plans to transfer to a four-year college and double major in psychology and sociology. David also plans to earn his master's degree; he is interested in the field of criminal psychology.

A graduate of Wilkes Central High School, Cape Fear Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Susan is enrolled in Randolph Community College's Photographic Technology program. She served in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the Air Crew Life Support from January 2003 to May 2007. She completed Basic Still Photography training at the Department of Defense Information School and then served as public affairs photographer for the U.S. Air Force Reserves from May 2007 to March 2009. At RCC, she is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and has photographed firefighter training classes for RCC's Continuing Education and Marketing offices. She hopes to become a commercial photographer.

Archdale-Trinity native Jennie Stevens is a Business Administration major at RCC. She is on the Dean's List and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She attended Trinity High School and earned her GED from Guilford Technical Community College. Jennie is the mother of Jonathan Stevens, a 7th grader at Archdale-Trinity Middle School, and Savannah Stevens, a 5th grader at Trinity Elementary School. She is a member of the Wheatmore High School Athletic Booster Club and was named PTSA Volunteer of the Year at Trinity Elementary in 2007. Jennie is a substitute teacher for Randolph County Schools, working with elementary through middle school.

Biotech Camp Held June 22-24 at RCC

Twenty-two ninth-graders attended a four-day Biotechnology Basics Camp at Randolph Community College this week. The students were introduced to DNA (the genetic material in living things) and proteins, and they learned about environmental monitoring. Hands-on activities included using a green fluorescent protein from jellyfish to detect bacteria with a specific DNA sequence, said Perry, a technique for which developers received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The students also isolated the DNA from a banana and took plant tissue cultures from Venus's-flytrap plants.

Malt-O-Meal of Asheboro has provided funding to operate this year's Biotech Camp.

RCC offers an associate in applied science degree in Biotechnology in collaboration with Alamance Community College. The program is designed to prepare graduates to serve in three distinct capacities: research assistant to a biologist or a chemist, laboratory technician/instrumentation technician, and quality control/quality assurance technician. All first-year classes may be taken at RCC, then students transfer to ACC for all second-year courses and completion of the program.

For more information or to apply for entry into the Biotechnology program, contact RCC's Information Center at 336-633-0200.

See photos from the Camp.

President's, Dean's & Honor Lists Published

Randolph Community College has published its spring 2009 President's, Dean's and Honor Lists. We're very proud of our students! Click here to read the full list.