Cougar Bytes for May 20, 2011

"Dreamland, A Musical" A Huge Success

by Ellen Bland, Drama & Communications Instructor

What do you get when you combine an unfinished, dusty old room in a textile mill with Shakespeare, 1920s songs, and 35 people willing to put in hundreds of hours of work? An original musical comedy so immediately popular that folks from inside and outside the community found themselves clamoring to find tickets for sold-out shows!

Such was the case in April for two weekends at the old Chatham Mills building in Pittsboro for "Dreamland, A Musical," adapted by local playwright Drew Lasater, directed by Ellen Bland, Drama and Communications Instructor, and performed by CCCC and Chatham community actors. Most anywhere you find college theater students performing a show, they are doing so as part of a theater department, in a bona fide theater, with a technical staff to provide lighting, sound, costumes, set, and box office. Not so in Chatham county. Central Carolina Community College theater production students and guest actors, musicians, artists, and technicians from Chatham county and neighboring communities defied the odds once again and provided quality theater in an unorthodox space where they have built their own stage and audience seating.

Community support was strong. After the April 8-10 shows concluded, the April 14-17 shows' tickets were scooped up in a few days. Audiences continued to provide praise, and largely through social media, the show quickly built a reputation as "top notch," and "engaging every minute." Despite folding chair seating and some peering around steel girders and poles to see the stage, audiences concluded each show with standing ovations and kudos to performers, as well as to the sound and lighting technicians who overcame great challenges to make the production work.

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Changes in Internal Communications

by Celia Hurley, VP of Institutional Advancement

For years, Helpdesk email has been an avenue for sharing internal information. It has been a useful tool; however, many employees have indicated concerns with the volume of Helpdesk emails and the applicability of the information to all campuses.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Information Technology Department and the Marketing Department, new tools have been put into place that will improve our internal communications. Here are the details:

• Helpdesk email will no longer exist as known previously. For communicating only information that is urgent and/or critical for some or for all of our campuses and sites, you will receive email from "CCCCServiceAlert@cccc.edu". Examples of information that will be sent through "CCCCServiceAlert@cccc.edu" include college closures, Blackboard and website outages, network issues, and power outages.
• Additionally, you may receive email from "IThelpdesk@cccc.edu" in response to any IT related work orders that you may have reported.
• Much of the information now communicated through Helpdesk will be handled through two new tools: the Employee Calendar and the Announcements Page.
• The transition from Helpdesk to the Employee Calendar and the Announcements Page will begin Monday, May 23. At that time, employees sending information to the Helpdesk for distribution will be re-directed to the Calendar and Announcements Page.
• The Employee Calendar and the Announcements Page allow employees to input their information at any time.
  • Calendar items may include anything of interest to CCCC employees, such as dates and times for professional development opportunities, holiday gatherings, and blood drives.
  • The Announcements Page will provide opportunities to share information about personnel, departmental events/activities, holiday leave, etc.
  • Both tools may be used in many instances.
• All information is accessible by logging into the Intranet. Instead of seeing a list of departmental files, such as in-state travel and copy request forms, you will find a link to those files (Helpful Files by Department) and links to the calendar and announcements page.
• For greater convenience, the main page for the calendar and announcements may be set as your browser home page.
• Guidance for using the new tools is available. When inputting information into the calendar, you will find prompts for the calendar form. For inputting announcements, assistance is available through a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section.
• Additional assistance is available:
  • For questions about the CCCCServiceAlert@cccc.edu or IThelpdesk@cccc.edu , contact Karen Sasser in the IT Department.
  • For questions about the Employee Calendar and Announcements Page, contact Morgan Steele in Marketing.

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CCCC A Strong Presence At Small Business Expo

by Dale Fey, Director of Small Business Center, Lee County

Eighty-six vendors were on hand to welcome more than 1,000 attendees at the Small Business Expo held at the Civic Center on May 11. CCCC staff members were there to reinforce the fact that this college provides a broad spectrum of support for small business owners and entrepreneurs, whether they are just starting up or have been around for decades. We made sure that a representative of CCCC's Small Business Center visited every booth at the Expo, shook the exhibitor's hand, and briefed him/her on the services available to small business owners at the college.

Helping spread the word were recruiters Bobby Wicker and Virginia Brown, and Russell Ingram from Workforce Development. The goal was to send a strong signal to both exhibitors and attendees about the resources available at CCCC for small businesses.

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Rare Sighting of CCCC Mascot on Sanford Campus

by Morgan Steele, Marketing Coordinator, MPA

He's cuddly, he's cute, he's CCCC's Cougar mascot. The big guy has been elusive in the last few years, but we managed to catch him on camera recently during an unannounced visit to the Sanford campus. The cougar told us that he is looking forward to participating in our 50th celebration. He is a sports fan and you'll probably see him at many of the college's sporting events. He confided to us that he would come around more often if we cared enough to give him an official name. Check the CCCC website and enter the contest to Name the Cougar.

Celia Hurley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, finds the Cougar's jokes hilarious.

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Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton Visits CCCC Campuses

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (right) receives a bouquet of early spring vegetables and Java chicken eggs from Hillary Heckler, manager of the student farm at Central Carolina Community College's Chatham County Campus, in Pittsboro, during his March 24 visit to the campus. Dalton came to learn more about the campus's energy efficient buildings and sustainable green programs. Also on the tour of the campus were college trustee and former Chatham County commissioner George Lucier (back); Dalton's wife, Lucille Dalton; elected officials N.C. Sen. Bob Atwater and Pittsboro Mayor Randy Voller; N.C. Solar Center Director of Education Pam Carpenter; CCCC President Bud Marchant; college administrators; and sustainability faculty.

Central Carolina Community College laser and photonics technology students Juana Bethancourth (left), of Sanford, and Shawn Palmer (right) of Fuquay, demonstrate an argon krypton laser for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton during his April 28 visit to the college's Harnett County Campus, in Lillington. Dalton spoke to an audience of about 100 on the future of community colleges and then toured the campus' laser and photonics laboratories.

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CCCC Foundation News

by Diane Glover, Foundation Executive Director

We've moved! If you are looking for the Foundation offices, you will find us in bright new quarters in the Science Building right next door to the Distance Education folks. Drop by and say hello.

The Foundation staff juggled a lot of balls simultaneous with moving:

• We finished a very successful campus fundraising campaign and launched our 2011 community campaign.
• We planned our annual HCI Furniture Auction which will take place in the Multipurpose Room of the Miriello building at the Harnett campus on Saturday, June 4th. Bidding begins at 12:00 noon.
• We welcomed four new trustees to the Foundation board:
  • Lou Byrd, Pittsboro native and owner of Interim Healthcare
  • Charlie Welborn, co-partner with Davenport, Marvin, Joyce & Company, CPA
  • Travis Bailey, Senior VP at First Bank in Lillington
  • Mark Eason, Senior VP at Century Bank in Dunn

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News From the Office of Alumni Affairs

by Brian S. Merritt, Director of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Alumni Relations

CCCC Alumni Volunteers Needed for July 23 Event: Faculty and staff are invited to volunteer at the Alumni Booth for the 50th Anniversary Kick-off event on July 23. We'll be giving out alumni car clings, gathering updated contact information, and educating alumni about new ways to be involved. Send an email to alumni@cccc.edu to volunteer today!

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NCAEOP Picks Linda Spivey as Office Professional of the Year

The North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals has honored Linda Spivey, who is both an alumni of CCCC and a recent retiree of the college, as its 2011 Lula M. Burrell Educational Office Professional of the Year for North Carolina.

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News From the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs

by Brian S. Merritt, Director of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Alumni Relations

Grants Success Starts Here! Visit the new website for the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs (OGSP) at www.cccc.edu/grants.

What is the process for proposing a grant? How can the OGSP help me? Where can I find funding? Visit the website where you can submit a grant idea and have your questions answered about preparing for grants success at CCCC.

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CCCC Relay For Life Silent Auction

by Amanda Carter, Distance Education Coordinator

Neil McGowan, Graphic Artist and Multimedia Specialist, makes a bid for something delicious. In the background, Abby Walker, CCCC Foundation, inspects the goodies while Amanda Carter, Distance Education Coordinator, makes sure nobody sneaks a taste. The event raised over $800 for cancer research.

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NCCCS Honors CCCC Student

by Joni Pavlik, Dean of Business and Media Technologies and Public Services

Dana Stone (left), of Dunn, a Criminal Justice Technology student, was honored by the North Carolina Community College System for academic excellence during its "Great Within the 58" Excellence Event April 14. Pictured with Dana at the reception prior to the awards program are (from left) NCCCS President Scott Ralls, CCCC Dean of Business and Media Technologies & Public Services Joni Pavlik, and Dana's son, Benjamin Stone. Stone came to CCCC to train for a new career after her job of 24 years as a manufacturing set-up technician disappeared in the recession. She has maintained a 3.85 grade point average and has served as a Student Ambassador, SGA senator, Phi Theta Kappa honor society vice president, teacher assistant, lab assistant, and tutor. Stone is the first of her six siblings to attend college. Her career goal is to work with juveniles in the criminal justice system.

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CCCC Responds to Tornado Damage

CCCC faculty, staff and administrators have been working hard helping with the cleanup following the April 16 tornado that devastated homes, neighborhoods, and businesses in the area. One activity was a cleanup at Watson's Nursery (pictured) that included the helping hands of Carl Bryan and his son, Lisa Chapman, Kim Overcash, Mary Holt, Robin Walker and her husband, Shuya Che, Scott Byington and his family, and Jennifer Schagne and her son.

Carl said that Christa Mashburn and Crystal Smith have been instrumental in securing supplies for student needs, while Bill Tyson, Elizabeth Matthews, Cindy Page and Gloria Oldham have been great at getting students the materials to the students.

The college community has also assisted financially with donations for tornado relief through the CCCC Foundation. The Foundation office has processed, as quickly as possible, the forms that students submit for emergency funds.

Students have also been busy helping with cleanup and fund-raisers, such as the tornado relief benefit May 14 at the Lee County Fairgrounds. All proceeds from that went to the Red Cross and United Way.

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Red Cross Needs Volunteers for Tornado Relief Event

We have been asked to help at a huge beach music concert in Broadway on Saturday, May 28th from 3pm-10pm. "Lights on Broadway" is determined to raise $100,000 for the tornado victims. WOW! We need about 50 volunteers to pull this off so we are going to need friends and family to help as well. PLEASE help us reach our goal if you can. The information about the festival is below:

• Lights On Broadway
• 2011 Benefit Concert
• 111 N. Main St., Broadway, NC
• Presented by the Feedmill and Lights on Broadway Committee
• Saturday May 28th 2011, 5:00pm-10:00pm (gates open at 4:40pm)
• Featuring: Tim Hair, The Fantastic Shakers, Jim Quick And The Coastline Band, and Chairman Of The Board
• Kid Zone and activities for all ages. No Coolers, alcohol, tents or pets allowed. Food, drinks and tee-shirts available to purchase during event. All ticket sales are final. No refunds. Ticket Prices the day of event:
  • General: $20.00
  • 13 and under: $10.00
  • 3 and under: free
  • Law enforcement, fire and rescue $15.00 with ID
  • Discount available for advance ticket purchase until May 27th
  • General: $15.00
  • 13 and under: $8.00
• Buy Tickets at:
  • The Candy Mill, 122 Main Street
  • Monk's Furniture, 2117 Jefferson Davis Hwy

If you would like to volunteer to help at this event, contact Abby L. Cameron, American Red Cross in Sanford, (919) 774-6857.

Too close for comfort. Photo of the tornado that taken from a security camera on the Vet Tech building on CCCC's Sanford campus.

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Personnel Changes

Emily Hare has joined the CCCC Foundation staff as Associate Director. Emily received her B.A. in Communication from Wake Forest University and her MBA in Marketing from Pfeiffer. A native of Pinehurst, NC, she is a huge sports fan. She is a triathlete and will compete in four triathlons this year and two half-marathons. Emily and her husband live in Sanford with Deacon, their terrier mix "furry child".

Rosalind Cross assumes the role of Interim Workforce Development Director effective May 16. As Interim Director, Rosalind will assume leadership of WIA programs, activities, and staff, working directly with the Triangle South Workforce Development Board. Rosalind has recently completed her MBA, and she has served the college previously in the Workforce Development Department as well as the Division of Academic Affairs.

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Successful National Survey Administrations: A Team Effort

by Zena Harvley-Felder, QEP Coordinator

The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) was given in Lee, Harnett, and Chatham counties in randomly selected classes during March and April. Our thanks go to the many instructors who made it possible for approximately 1280 students to participate in the paper and pencil survey in their classes. The CCSSE is a national survey that provides important information about effective educational practices in community colleges. The survey captures student engagement - the amount of time and energy that students invest in meaningful educational practices - as a measure of institutional quality.

The CCSSE could not have been administered without the help of several staff members in each county: Rhonda Jones, Kendra McKinney, Becky Howington, Rory Dutterer, Amanda Carter, Trinnette Nichols, Crystal Baker, Michele Nabonne, Lorraine Whitaker, Laura Musselwhite, Linda Scuiletti, Haley Thomas, Martha Wilkie, and Jamee Stiffler. We appreciate the efforts of each survey administrator.

The Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE) gave faculty an opportunity to provide responses to questions that mirror the student version of the survey. The CCFSSE is an online survey that allows us to compare results with the student version of the survey and to measure our college in relation to other community colleges. Results from the student and faculty surveys are used for planning and improvement and as an indirect assessment of Writing Works. In past years, the national response rate on the CCFSSE has averaged 33%. The response rate for CCCC faculty was 63.5% in 2009. This year, the response rate was 73.4%. Thank you, faculty, for taking the time to participate in the CCFSSE.

Results from the CCSSE and CCFSSE will be available online by July 31. The CCSSE National Report will be available in November.

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Launch Party for 2011 Red Clay Review

by Summerlin Page, English Instructor

Red Clay Review's 2011 South-themed issue is published! We will be celebrating with a gathering at Steele Street Cafe, 120 S. Steele St. in Sanford, on Tuesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. We will be recognizing contest winners and enjoying readings from the issue. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Summerlin Page at slpage@cccc.edu.

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Become a Kickoff Volunteer

The college's 50th anniversary is almost upon us. It's time to step up and prove that CCCC is the best community college in the state and it's because of our faculty and staff. Starting June 1 you will find a volunteer signup sheet on the intranet. Please review the positions and assistance we will need and signup for as few or as many sections as you can fill.

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Foundation Furniture Auction

More than 100 pieces of handcrafted wood and metalwork, including lawn furniture, chests, jewelry boxes, grills, yard decorations, and other items, are on the block at the eleventh annual CCCC Foundation Furniture Auction. The Auction, a popular event for those looking for quality wood and metal work, takes place Saturday, June 4, in the Multipurpose Room of the Miriello Building on the college's Harnett County Campus, 1075 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd. Viewing starts at 11 a.m. and bidding, at 12 p.m. Proceeds from the auction help provide scholarships for Harnett County students at the college through an endowed scholarship fund. The proceeds also pay for materials used to produce the auction items, which are made by students in the college's carpentry and welding classes at Harnett Correctional Institution. Click To See A Gallery of Items for Auction.

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50th Logo in Email Signature

by Morgan Steele, Marketing Coordinator

Here's how to add the 50th logo to your email signature:

1. Copy the attached image to your desktop, right click and select, "Save Image As..."
2. In Groupwise click Tools > Options > Environment
3. Select the "Signature" tab
4. On the left hand side under a checkbox that says "Signature" you should see a font style and size selector and possibly some other options. Click on the double arrows (>>) to the right of this and select "Insert Picture".
5. Click the browse button on the popup and navigate to where you saved the image. Select the image and Click "OK"
6. Now, back in the signature box, click on the image, highlighting it.
7. Again, Click on the double arrows (>>), but this time select "Insert Hyperlink"
8. Use Type: "http//" and enter the URL www.cccc.edu/50years. Click "OK"
9. At the bottom of the "Signature" tab click "OK" and you are done!

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Holocaust Speaker

by Judy Herndon, Basic Skills Recruiter

Mrs. Esther Lederman, a Holocaust survivor, spoke at the Chatham Campus on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Esther was 15 years old when World War II started in Poland (September, 1939.) After the German invasion and new laws against the Jews were invoked, Esther's family left its home town of Lodz, the second largest city in Poland, in hopes of having a better chance of surviving the war in a small town. Esther's family suffered the indignities of ghetto life, painful discrimination, and the imprisonment of her father in a labor camp. Esther escaped but lost her mother, sister as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. She found shelter with a Catholic family where she was hidden for 22 months along with the Lederman family. Her father was liberated from Buchenwald but Esther's mother and sister were killed in Treblinka. Esther married one of the Lederman boys in 1946. Their son was born in Munich in 1948, and the family came to the U.S. in 1949. Esther has provided programs to teachers at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, to social and civil organizations, and in North Carolina, she has talked to private and public school children, Duke University and UNC-CH students, Pope Air Force Base, the Kiwanis and synagogues and churches. Her most recent book, HIDING FOR OUR LIVES, gives a detailed account of her harrowing experiences.

Anita Green, Siler City Center Adult High School instructor and Certified Holocaust Educator, invited Mrs. Lederman as part of her class instruction on The Holocaust. Mrs. Lederman is a member of the Holocaust Speakers Bureau and can be found on the Holocaust Museum website at www.ushmm.org.

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Spring Graduation

Graduating student Robert Jones receives his Associate in Applied Science in Accounting from President Bud Marchant as the college celebrated its 48th spring graduation May 17 in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 300 graduating students attended either the morning or afternoon graduation exercise. The Class of 2011 earned almost 1,000 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

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Con Ed Medical Programs Graduation

EKG instructor Diane Oldham (left) shares the joy of graduate Meredith Repko and her mother, Becky Owens, at Repko's receiving three certificates at the Continuing Education Department's May 18 Medical Programs Graduation. Repko earned her EKG Technician, Advanced EKG Technician and Nursing Assistant I certificates in fulfillment of a promise made to her son, Corey, who died in 2009. More than 100 students earned certificates in various medical programs, with some earning more than one. About 50 attended the graduation ceremony.

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Voice of the Tarheels

Dr. Bud Marchant and Woody Durham, the "Voice of the Tarheels," discuss Durham's outstanding radio career at the Small Business Banquet held at the Civic Center.

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Medical Benefit

Saturday July 23 at Quail Ridge Golf Course there will be a 4-man superball golf tournament to benefit Bailee Edwards, daughter of Kyle and Misty Edwards. Click to see more details.

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Cougar Pets News

by Jonathan Loftis, Animal Facilities Manager

We are featuring a dog and a cat that are awaiting adoption. The animals waiting patiently for permanent homes at the CCCC vet tech facility are healthy, have all their shots, and have been spayed/neutered. They are ready to love you.

Gerald: An adult male beagle, Gerald is dignified and somewhat reserved, but he reveals a winsome and playful personality when he learns to trust you. Gerald is easy to care for and would fit nicely into almost any home.

Snoopy: A three-year-old black and white charmer, Snoopy is independent. While he gets along with other cats and dogs, he considers himself an alpha cat and likes to be the boss, so he would be perfectly happy as the only cat in the household. He's not demanding and would be a good companion for someone who lives alone or for a senior.

We're pleased to report that two dogs - Luna and Griff - and four cats - Mr. Bojangles, Selena, Zippy and Fishbait Jake - went to permanent homes this past month.

Visit the Cougar Pets website at cougarpets.webs.com/index.html for more information and pictures of pets available for adoption. Call 919.718.7465 or email jloftis@cccc.edu if you want to adopt.

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Cougar Profile

Nate Mayer
Human Resources Coordinator

Nate Mayer joined the CCCC Human Resources department in March. Nate provides support to HR in a broad spectrum of hiring practices from screening applicants prior to interviews to keeping the massive flow of paper impeccably organized. When we asked Nate for his first impressions of the college, he told us, "This is an institution that really cares about its people."

Nate comes to us from the Wake County School System. He earned his B.S. in Recreation Management from East Carolina University and his Masters degree in Human Resources from Western Carolina University. He is a North Carolinian by osmosis - born in Pennsylvania, he grew up in Apex, NC. Today, he and his wife, Katy, live in Fuquay-Varina. Katy works for the Health and Human Services Department of Wake County and is currently working on her masters in social work.

Nate loves to watch basketball and, until his son, Owen, was born, tried to play ice hockey regularly. Now, his favorite sport is playing with Owen, 2-1/2, and daughter, Camryn, 9 months old. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do," he told us proudly. Both Nate's and Katy's parents live in the area, so any free time is family time.

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News From the CCCC Family

I wish to thank everyone for their warm thoughts and prayers over the last two weeks. I lost my brother recently, but I have learned first hand how wonderful our instructors, staff and students are when going through an emotional roller coaster as I have. What a great place to work, instruct and have friends! Sincerely, Richard Biggs

Dear Central Carolina College Community: The family of the late E. L. Rose Gostanian Monkemeyer greatly appreciates your kind expressions of sympathy in their loss of their mother. Your thoughts and efforts were greatly appreciated. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. Thank you all for the many sympathy cards, the lovely arrangement, and the basket of food. Your thoughtfulness means so much, especially during this difficult time. Warm regards, Emilie G. Marchant

Cindy Casler, Director of WorkForce Development & WIA passed away Saturday, May 7, 2011. Cindy leaves behind a caring husband, Mike Snow; a loving son, Ross Snow; her loving daughter, Kayla Snow; her mother, Jennie La Bombard; father, Robert La Bombard; and two brothers, Kevin and Bill Casler. The family received friends on Friday, May 13 at the Zaumetzer Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks, N.Y. Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 14 at the Holy Name Catholic Church in AuSable Forks, N.Y. Condolences for the family may be sent to Cindy's son, Ross Snow, at 606 4th Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

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Birthdays

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Dates to Remember

May 30 - Memorial Day holiday.

June 4 - Foundation Furniture Auction, Harnett Campus, Miriello Bldg.

July 23 - 50th Anniversary Kickoff Event. ESTC, 3000 Airport Rd., 3:00-9:30 PM

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Things For Sale, For Adoption or for Free

CCCC-Bay offers you a marketplace for services and excess stuff, a forum to advertise for things you need and a very responsive audience for pet adoption. Our deadline for CCCC-Bay ads is 9:00 a.m. on the Wednesday before publication date.

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