Randolph Community College Photography Instructor Wins Awards in National Contest

Randolph Community College Photographic Technology instructor Ashley Fetner had two photographs chosen in the top 50 photographs in the Defenders of Wildlife's First Annual Photography Contest recently. Fetner's submissions were among more than 10,000 entries in the contest.

Fetner won Honorable Mentions for his photograph of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park and a photograph called "Desert Storm" of a cloud burst above Lake Powell in Utah. The Desert Storm photograph was also recently published in the Japanese edition of National Geographic Explorer.

Fetner, who has taught photography at Randolph Community College since 2002, is also a graduate of RCC's program. He has won numerous awards for his portrait and fine art images.

The winning photographs can be viewed on his Web site at www.ashleyfetnerportraits.com under the Fine Art Gallery.

Randolph Community College Day of Design Set for June 5

Randolph Community will hold its annual Day of Design on Saturday, June 5 in the Design Center on the Asheboro Campus. The event is open to all students and adults interested in the creative fields of Interior Design or Advertising & Graphic Design. The workshops and lunch are free; however, registration is limited.

The Introduction to Interior Design workshop, which will be from 9 a.m.-12 noon in Design Center 109, will address career options within this field. Students will gain knowledge in space planning, furnishings, and color/fabric selection. Upon completion, students will produce a presentation board with a scaled floor plan, fabrics and finishes collage, title block, and legend. Instructors will be Holly Barker and Ann Smith-Palenchar. Limit is 30 students.

An Advertising & Graphic Design workshop will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. in Design Center 108. This workshop utilizes the principles and elements of design as it relates to graphic design. Students will explore basic graphic arts to create a printed design using block printing techniques on fabric. Students will produce a three-dimensional composition. Limit is 15 students.

In the Computer Graphics workshop, set for 10:30 a.m.-12 noon in the Design Center Mac Lab, students will explore basic graphic arts to create a printed design using computer technology. Students will produce a two-dimensional composition. Limit is 15 students. The Advertising and Computer Graphics workshops will be taught by Susan Shaw and Dawn Egerton.

Lunch will be from 12-1 p.m. with program information sessions and tours to follow.

To register for any session, contact Holly Barker by calling 336-633-0318 or Susan Shaw at 336-633-0289, or e-mail hdbarker@randolph.edu by June 3.

Randolph Community College Cosmetology Center Summer Hours Set

Randolph Community College's Cosmetology Center will reopen for the summer semester on Thursday, June 3 with new hours. The Center will be open from 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Clients requesting chemical services must sign in before 11 a.m.

Senior Appreciation Day will be on Thursdays, with 1/2 off all hair services for anyone 55 and older. RCC Day is on Friday; all hair services will be 1/2 off for faculty, staff, and students (with ID).

The Center will be closed on July 3 for Independence Day. The last day for clients for the summer semester will be Saturday, July 24. The Center will be closed July 26-Aug. 24 for exams and semester break, and will reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

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

Small Poultry House Construction Class Set to Begin June 22 at Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College will be offering Small Poultry House/Chicken Coop Construction as part of its Green Collar Farming Series this summer.

The Small Poultry House/Chicken Coop Construction class will be taught by Jerry Hackney, who has more than 15 years of teaching experience in agriculture, and will include an emphasis on green construction methods. The class will be held at the Asheboro Campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on June 22, 24 and 29, July 1, 13 and 15. The class will culminate with two days of hands-on work on Saturday, July 24 and Saturday, July 31 from 2-6 p.m. Cost for the class is $66.25, and students will need to supply their own gloves, measuring tape, and safety glasses. The registration deadline is June 15.

This course is designed to instruct individuals in the basics of construction of various chicken coop/chicken house buildings utilizing low impact environmentally sound construction methods. Topics will include incubation construction; brooder box construction; movable structures; permanent structures and components needed for production (feed, water, nest boxes, etc.).

Also part of the Green Collar Farming Series, a class titled Small Farm Structures will be held Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. from July 29 through October 28. The registration deadline is July 22. Other classes to be offered in the future include Basic Farm Maintenance, the Fundamentals of Aquaculture, Small Greenhouse Construction, and Raising Backyard Chickens. Kelly Heath, director of occupational extension, said the series is part of an increased effort on the part of the College to help community members become more energy efficient and expand their green footprint.

To register, call 336-633-0268. For more information about the Small Farm Structures class or the entire series, contact Kelly Heath at 336-633-0275, kwheath@randolph.edu.

Vote Now for Your Favorite 'Dancing with the Randolph Stars' Couple

There are less than two weeks left to vote for your favorite couple in the Randolph Community College Foundation Dancing with the Randolph Stars benefit, scheduled for June 5 at AVS Catering & Banquet Centre. Online voting is available at http://www.randolph.edu/dancing.php for the 17 local celebrity pairs who are competing in this event to raise money for student scholarships at RCC. Online voting will be available until 3 p.m. on Friday, June 4.

In addition to voting and ticket sales, scholarship money is being raised through sponsorships from local businesses and community groups. Hans Klaussner and the Hans Klaussner Foundation have become the event's Galaxy Sponsor, donating $10,000 to the cause. "Hans Klaussner and his Foundation have always been committed to our community and to the many causes that have needed his support," said Dave Bryant, chief financial officer of Klaussner Home Furnishings. "His philanthropic efforts have focused on saving and improving the lives of those in need. Asheboro and Randolph County are lucky to have such an avid supporter of these efforts."

Pyramid Services, a privately held, woman-owned corporation that provides support of government services contracts, has become a Constellation Sponsor with a donation of $5,000. Technimark and Asheboro Elastics are Super Star Sponsors with donations of $2,500 each. Sponsors now total 48 with almost $45,000 in sponsorship money raised.

Additional money will come from the $10 per vote that anyone in the community can donate to vote for their favorite celebrity couple. If you would prefer not to vote online, you can vote by sending a check to the RCC Foundation, PO Box 1009, Asheboro, NC 27204-1009, with a note indicating whom the votes are for. Votes need to be received by June 4.

To see the names of the dancing couples and other information, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-25.php.

Randolph Community College Radiography, Nursing and BLET Ceremonies Recognize Several

Special recognition was given to high achieving students in three program areas at Randolph Community College during separate ceremonies held recently.

The Radiography program held a Pinning Ceremony on May 8 at East Side Baptist Church, where Rebecca Carriker of Asheboro received the Academic Achievement Award and Lindsey Davis of Liberty received the Outstanding Student Award.

At the Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony, held on May 15 at Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church, Lisa Lang of Ramseur received the Innovation in Nursing Practice Award, presented by Jackie Norris of Randolph Hospital. Melissa Byelene of High Point Regional Health System presented the Clinical Excellence Award to Michele Rogers of Ramseur. The Student Nurse Association Award was presented to Amber Grimmett of Trinity. Scotty Carlyle of Asheboro won the Team Player Award. Brandy Davis of Seagrove received the Spirit of Caring Award, and Angela Wall of Randleman received the Academic Excellence Award for having the highest GPA in the class.

A Basic Law Enforcement Training ceremony for the 60th and 61st classes was held May 18 at Oakhurst Baptist Church. Twenty-one students completed the evening class this year, with one student taking all three class awards. Joseph R. Holmes of Graham, who is associated with the Graham Police Department, won the Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) Award with a time of 3 minutes, 44 seconds. He also received the Firearms Top Gun Award with a score of 99.12 and the Academic Award with a 94.03 GPA.

In the day class, which had eight graduates, Sean S. Craven of Liberty (Liberty Police Department) won the POPAT Award with a time of 4 minutes, 29 seconds. Christopher M. Lee of Asheboro (Star Police Department) won the Firearms Top Gun Award with a score of 99.68. Kevin J. Jarrell of Randleman (Randleman Police Department) won the Academic Award with a GPA of 88.79. In addition, the Terry Shankle Award, given to the best all-around student, went to Eric Taylor of Randleman (Randolph County Sheriff's Office).

Randolph Early College High School Makes History with First Graduation

Fifty-nine high school students from Randolph County made history this week, becoming the first graduating class from the Randolph Early College High School located on Randolph Community College's Asheboro Campus.

Around 400 people gathered on the front lawn of RCC on May 19 to witness the occasion, as the students marched in wearing their red caps and gowns. Just one week earlier, at Randolph Community College's May 12 graduation, 29 of them had received Associate in Arts degrees.

In his remarks, RCC President Robert S. Shackleford Jr. told the audience that Randolph Early College High School had a record of academic excellence and was one of the top achieving high schools in North Carolina. He said, "This inaugural graduating class has set the bar very high for all classes to follow. And that bar is this: At the Randolph Early College High School, mediocrity is not acceptable; the pursuit of excellence is the standard."

The students heard from several speakers during the emotional ceremony, including the graduation address by Dail Moore, a former RECHS English teacher who retired last year. Virginia Montes Aviles gave the valedictory address, and Daleena Spainhour was the class salutatorian. Megan Cates, RECHS Student Government Association president, gave the senior address; and Christopher Leonard, SGA vice president, welcomed the crowd and introduced Moore. Also addressing the crowd was Randolph County Superintendant of Schools Donald Andrews.

For a list of graduates, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-21.php.

Dog Grooming Class Begins June 3 at Randolph Community College Archdale Center

Would you like to be able to handle basic grooming chores for your pets at home? Randolph Community College's Archdale Center will offer a Basic Dog Grooming class beginning June 3.

Students will learn small animal grooming, proper use and care of professional grooming tools, handling/controlling small animals, parasite recognition, and skin disorders.

The class will meet from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays, June 3 through July 22 at the Archdale Center located in Creekside Park. Registration fee is $65. For more information or to register, call the Archdale Center at 336-862-7980 or the Asheboro Campus at 336-633-0268.

Randolph Community College President Shackleford Named Distinguished Alumnus at UNCG

Randolph Community College President Robert S. Shackleford Jr. was presented with the 2010 School of Human Environmental Sciences (HES) Distinguished Alumnus Award at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on May 13. The School of Human Environmental Sciences, one of six professional schools at UNCG, includes the following departments: Human Development and Family Studies; Interior Architecture, Nutrition; Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies; and Social Work. The School currently has 1004 undergraduate students, 210 graduate students, and 70 faculty members.

Shackleford earned his M.S. in Child Development and Family Relations in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies in 1993 from UNCG. He also holds a M.Div. in Theology and Pastoral Care from Southeastern Baptist Theology. Shackleford is a 1969 graduate of Roxboro High School.

"The Distinguished Alumnus Award is an annual award for someone who has had a distinguished career," said Jane K. Lawrence, director of development for the School of Human Environmental Sciences at UNCG. "The individual is nominated and the final selection process is through the HES Awards Committee."

The award was presented to Shackleford at the school's departmental graduation last week, where he also delivered the graduation speech. Shackleford has been president of Randolph Community College since January 2007.

Waddell Speaks at Randolph Community College Adult High School/GED Graduation May 13

In writing his graduation address for Randolph Community College’s Adult High School Diploma/ General Educational Development (GED) spring graduation ceremony held Thursday, May 13, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium, Arthur Waddell, assistant pastor of Oakland Missionary Baptist Church and a retired N.C. Highway Patrolman, said he thought about "how difficult and truly painstaking getting an education can be on an individual and their loved ones." He compared the graduates to palm trees that, while storms and hurricanes wreak destruction all around them, stand firm by bending with the wind. He told the graduates that even though they had faced many obstacles, "like the palm tree, you kept bouncing back again, again and again. Like the palm tree you held strong."

Waddell congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to share their knowledge. "Knowledge is power, but it is a power that is to be used for the benefit of all," he said.

The Basic Skills Division holds three graduation ceremonies throughout the year for Adult High School Diploma and GED graduates who finish their studies at various times throughout the year. A ceremony was held Dec. 17, 2009, for the fall semester, and a ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5 for the summer graduates.

Approximately 40 students participated in Thursday’s ceremony out of 98 GED graduates and 5 Adult High School Diploma graduates who were eligible in May.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony were Dr. Robert Shackleford, RCC president, and student Alicia Perez. Perez said that after dropping out of school, she worked in a factory for many years, but she wanted more. "My dream was to become a nurse," she said, and the first step was obtaining her GED. She is currently taking a Certified Nursing Assistant class that is a prerequisite to enrolling in the Associate Degree Nursing program at RCC. "I stand here before you to let you know that anything is possible," she said.

To read more about the graduation and see the list of graduates, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-14.php.

State President Speaks at Randolph Community College Curriculum Graduation Ceremony Held May 12

North Carolina Community College System President Scott Ralls, guest speaker at Randolph Community College’s graduation ceremony held Wednesday at the Providence Grove High School gymnasium, said he has been traveling the state for the last couple of months "trying to find out the secrets of student success." He said he has found the real truth is "not about practices or policies, it's about people...engaging students, engaging faculty, engaging staff and administration."

Ralls continued that engagement is hard to define. "Engagement is one of those things that you know it if you see it and you know it if you don't." He told stories of several other graduates from throughout the state that helped define the term. "Being fully engaged is not just the secret to college success, it is the secret to success in life as well," he concluded.

Student Government Association President Sarah Elizabeth Blackwell encouraged her peers to embrace change in the future. She said that change and achievement at RCC was possible because "at RCC, the instructors and staff will not give up on you."

It was the first RCC graduation to include Randolph Early College High School graduates who also completed college degrees.

To read more about the graduation and see the list of graduations, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-13.php.

Randolph Community College Foundation Names 2010-11 Student Ambassadors

The Randolph Community College Foundation recently selected the 2010-2011 Student Ambassadors. Joy Kearns of Asheboro, Shane Bryson of Thomasville, Donald Matthews of Randleman, and Lisa L. Vitale of Ramseur were chosen from 24 applicants this year.

Each year, the Foundation chooses four students who have demonstrated extraordinary academic excellence and have a commitment to achieving their educational goals to serve as Foundation Ambassadors. Through the Ambassador program, these students can give back to the College and their communities by participating in promotional activities for RCC. They promote and represent RCC on its campus, in middle and high schools, and in their communities.

Kearns, 35, who is double majoring in Associate in Arts (College Transfer) and Healthcare Management Technology, attended Southwestern Randolph High School before coming to RCC to complete her GED. The young mother--her son, Ethan, is 7 years old--was an office worker for Staco Construction and a teacher's assistant and substitute teacher at Faith Christian School before coming back to school. She currently works as a Financial Aid work-study at RCC and plans a career in dental health.
Kearns is the daughter of Randy and Sandra Routh of Randleman and Bobby Kearns of Asheboro.

Bryson, 24, is a graduate of Southwestern Randolph High School and attended Southern Wesleyan University. He is majoring in Computer Information Technology and plans to also earn a history degree from the University of Maryland online. Bryson has worked as a boat dock technician for Dock Hoppers and a handyman for McHandy Man. He also works as a Distance Education facilitator at RCC. He has been a delegate to the Student Government Association at RCC for one year. He is very involved with the youth group at Central Carolina Community Church. Bryson is the son of Felecia and Gene Bryson of Thomasville.

Matthews, 52, a Business Administration major, is the founder of Second Chance Ministry, a community outreach ministry for people with substance abuse issues. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church for 45 years, is active with the Randleman Planning Committee, and is a member of the Common Threads diversity group at RCC. He has completed the Randleman Leadership Development Program and Elon University Leadership Training. Matthews is the son of Betty L. Matthews and the late Donald W. Matthews of Siler City. He is a graduate of Jordan Matthews High School and plans to continue to work with community outreach after graduating from RCC.

A Photographic Technology student, Vitale, 43, is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where she went to Coconut Creek High School and worked for The Home Depot from 1992 to 2006. After moving to North Carolina, Vitale completed her GED at RCC. She works at Dillard's while attending school, and in her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the Asheboro soup kitchen, helping with the Victory Junction Gang Camp Annual Toy Drive, assisting with the Salvation Army, and collecting donated items to mail care packages to active military members stationed abroad. After graduation, she plans to assist a local wedding photographer and do freelance work while establishing a client base.

Associate degree students who have completed a minimum of nine credit hours in the fall semester with a GPA of at least 3.0 and who are enrolled for a minimum of nine credit hours in the spring semester are invited to apply for the Foundation Ambassador program. Foundation Ambassadors receive many benefits, including an in-state tuition scholarship for three semesters.

Randolph Community College Excellence Award Winner: "My Success Began with Failure"

Sophia resident Donna Reynolds Camp said she always regretted quitting high school. "It was the biggest mistake of my life," said Camp recently after reaching an academic milestone following her decision to go back to school. She was named Randolph Community College's Academic Excellence Award winner for 2010 and represented RCC at the North Carolina Community College System Excellence Event in Raleigh recently.

"Growing up, I always felt like a failure," said Camp, whose home life included an abusive father. She was even bullied when she was at school. "I remember watching as other children were inducted into the Beta Club," she said. "I longed to be one of those children, but never was, because all I could concentrate on was surviving." She and her three brothers and one sister all eventually quit school and went to work.

For more on this story, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-07.php.

Notary Public Classes Offered at Randolph Community College in Asheboro and Archdale

Randolph Community College will be offering classes through the spring and summer to obtain a N.C. notary public commission and for notary publics to add electronic notary commission to their credentials. Classes, which are $65 each, will be offered as follows:

Notary Public Education
Tuesday and Thursday, May 11 and 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Archdale Center
Saturday, June 5, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Archdale Center
Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Asheboro Campus
Saturday, July 17, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Asheboro Campus
Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Archdale Center
Saturday, August 14, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Asheboro Campus
E-Notary
Friday July 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Asheboro Campus

To register for Asheboro classes, contact Kathy Thornburg in continuing education at 633-0216, kwthornburg@randolph.edu. To register for Archdale classes, contact Carol Nunn at the Archdale Center at 862-7984, hcnunn@randolph.edu. For more information about these classes, contact Kelly Heath, RCC director of occupational extension, at 633-0275, kwheath@randolph.edu.

Swing Dance Class Begins May 25 in Archdale

Are you ready to learn to dance? Randolph Community College's Archdale Center is offering a Beginning Swing Dance class beginning May 25.

Swing dance is often the best dance for people with no dance experience. It is easy to learn the basics and one can add and master difficult moves for years. It is best to learn with a partner, but a partner is not necessary. Swing dance (jitterbug) can be performed to a wide variety of music such as big band, jazz, shag, gospel, beach, classic rock and roll, and classic country.

The class will meet on Tuesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m., May 25 through June 29. The registration fee is only $25. For more information or to register, call the Archdale Center at 336-862-7980 or the Asheboro Campus at 336-633-0268.

Randolph Community College Archdale Center Offers Watercolor Painting Class

Looking for a fun class to take this spring? Try your hand at painting by taking the Beginning Watercolor Painting class at Randolph Community College's Archdale Center. The class begins May 18.

In this class, students will gain knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of watercolor painting. It will provide each student with a foundation in the basic skills that will enable the beginner to approach the medium with confidence. Emphasis will be on color theory, mixing, brush techniques, and composition.

The class will meet from 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesdays, May 18 through July 6. Registration fee is only $40.

For more information or to register, call the Archdale Center at 336-862-7980 or the Asheboro Campus at 336-633-0268.

Digital Photography Class Begins May 18 at Randolph Community College Archdale Center

Summer is a great time to take photographs. Do you have a great digital camera, but just don't know how to use it properly? Get a crash course on the basics of using your digital camera in Digital Camera Photography, a six-week class at Randolph Community College's Archdale Center that includes taking pictures; storing images; sharing photos; scanning photos; and using the zoom, flash and shutter buttons.

The Continuing Education class will meet from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 18 through June 22. The registration fee is $46. Bring your camera to class.

For more information or to register, call the Archdale Center at 336-862-7980 or the Asheboro Campus at 336-633-0268.

Randolph Community College Student Machines Part for Aggie Racing Team

Chris Hunt of Archdale, a second-year Machining Technology student at Randolph Community College, has a plan. After graduating with his Associate in Applied Science degree from RCC in May, he plans to take several College Transfer courses at RCC and then transfer to North Carolina A&T State University in 2011 to major in mechanical engineering.

So imagine his excitement when students from A&T's Aggie Racing Team came to RCC looking for help in machining a part for their Baja Buggy, a dune buggy the engineering students build each year to compete in races around the country. "They were talking to our instructors," said Hunt. "I planned on transferring to A&T, so they said it would be a good project for me."

For more on this story, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-04-29a.php .

'Dancing with the Randolph Stars' Voting Site Posted

Online voting is now available for the Randolph Community College Foundation's Dancing with the Randolph Stars. Seventeen local celebrity pairs are competing in this event to raise money for student scholarships at RCC. The benefit is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, at AVS Catering & Banquet Centre.

You can help now by casting your monetary vote at http://www.randolph.edu/dancing.php. Every $10 donation equals one vote for your favorite couple.

Firefighter Cadet School Begins at Randolph Community College June 21

Randolph Community College will host a Firefighter Cadet Program this summer. The program will run from June 21 through August 25, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the College's Emergency Services Training Center, located on Old Cedar Falls Road in Asheboro.

This challenging program will prepare a student to become a Level II firefighter certified by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In order for a student to successfully complete each course, they must be present at least 80 percent of the class time and pass each written test with at least a score of 70.

The registration fee for this program is $175, unless the student is fee exempt. For more information or to register for the Firefighter Cadet Program, contact Ken Fields at 336-633-0219, kffields@randolph.edu, or Darlene Gilliland at 336-633-0221, sdgilleland@randolph.edu.