SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College celebrated the opening of its new Robert and Nannie Lou Dalrymple Veterinary Medical Technology Building with a ribbon-cutting event on Monday, Aug. 13. The Dalrymple Veterinary Medical Technology Building is located on the CCCC Lee Main Campus in Sanford.

Construction for the 13,600-square-foot facility began in February 2017. Lee County voters approved a $5 million bond for this project in November 2014.

The facility includes a large dog kennel area, large cat ward, associated workrooms, student study area, faculty offices, two large animal procedures labs, two classrooms, animal recovery area, and associated restrooms, storage rooms, and mechanical spaces.

Julian Philpott, Chairman of the CCCC Board of Trustees, thanked the citizens of Lee County "who recognized the educational excellence of CCCC and its Veterinary Medical Technician program by overwhelmingly approving the bond proposal that provided the funding for this important facility expansion."

"We appreciate the great partnerships we have at CCCC with our elected officials, the public and our Lee County Schools, and our private businesses and industries. We thank you for your continued support," said Philpott.

Philpott also thanked the Dalrymple family. "We want to thank the Dalrymple family members for their generous contribution to the CCCC Foundation, which will help provide financial support for Lee County students who are seeking degrees, diplomas, or certificates from CCCC," said Philpott. "The CCCC Trustees were privileged to unanimously approve the naming of this Veterinary Medical facility addition for Robert and Nannie Lou Dalrymple, and it is fitting, given the Dalrymples' involvement in agriculture."

Robert and Nannie Lou Dalrymple always supported CCCC and lived to hear the plans for the building and were excited about what it would mean to the community. Living on a farm, with cows, horses, pigs, and chickens over the years, they knew the importance of having access to quality animal health care. And being a family that has taken in dozens of strays over the years, they were always grateful for women and men who could take the scruffiest and sickliest animals in great need and restore them to health with gentleness and compassion.

Robert Dalrymple was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps who fought in the Pacific Theater and earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. A two-term legislator as a representative in the N.C. House of Representatives, he was a member and chair of the Lee County Board of Education for over two decades, a Soil and Water District Supervisor, and a CCCC Trustee.

Tommy Dalrymple, CCCC Supporter and son of Robert and Nannie Lou Dalrymple, thanked those attending on this special day to honor his father and mother. After recognizing his sister Robbie, Dalrymple said they were touched to find this way to help with education. He then thanked Dr. Marchant, the CCCC Board of Trustees, and the CCCC Foundation Board for naming the VMT facility in honor of his father and mother.

CCCC President Dr. T. Eston Marchant told the audience the Dalrymple family gift to CCCC would benefit the Lee County Promise program. All eligible Lee County residents who graduate from a public high school for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 will be guaranteed up to two years of free in-state tuition and required fees at Central Carolina Community through the Lee County Promise program.

Dr. Marchant said that at a Lee County Promise kick-off event earlier in the day, one parent said the program would allow her child to be able to attend college. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," Dr. Marchant told the Dalrymple family.

To learn more about the CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology program, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/veterinarymedical.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College and its program, visit www.cccc.edu.