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A Bladen Community College Campus Weekly.
Vol. VII, No. 1
January 8, 2015
Registration in progress; ends Friday
The final registration period for the spring semester is underway and
will continue through Friday. Registration on Thursday will be 9 a.m. until
1 p.m. and 2 - 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 3 p.m.
According to Associate Vice President for Student Services, seats are
available in many classes, both seated and online. He pointed out that students who have not applied but would like to attend for the semester may
still apply.
“I’m sure we have a number of students in our service area who would
like to continue their education but have not taken steps to enroll,” he said.
“We will do everything in our power to get them in classes for the semester
if they apply,” he added.
He pointed out that some eight-week classes that start later in the semester are available and registration for those classes will continue through
their start date.
BCC Counselor Crystal Dowd helps General Education student
Chelsea Lambert work out her schedule.
From the office
of the
Executive
Vice President
The first all campus assembly of the year was held
on Friday, January 2, in the college auditorium. Biscuits and light refreshments were provided to the faculty and staff. Dr. Findt welcomed college personnel
back and gave brief remarks about the coming semester. Members of the administrative staff gave relevant
updates on issues impacting the college in the coming
months.
Friday, January 2, also marked the beginning of a
new spring schedule for Bladen Community College
faculty and staff. In years past, the first day of class
for spring semester would be a day or two after spring
registration. Very little time was available for our
financial aid department to process paperwork, student services to deal with enrollment issues, and for
our faculty to prepare for spring semester. The first
day of class now begins a week after our scheduled
registration period. This change in schedule allows
our financial aid department to process paperwork
through the Department of Education in time for students to start class; allows the student services department to handle enrollment issues that might occur
immediately after registration, and gives faculty additional time to prepare for spring semester.
We look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the spring semester.
Jeff Kornegay
Upcoming Events
January 8 & 9 - Late Registration continues. See above article.
January 12 - Classes begin.
January 15 - Book buyback at the Bookstore 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2 - 5 p.m.
January 19 - College closed for Martin Luther King Holiday.
January 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King Program in Auditorium at 11 a.m. Featured speaker is District Court Judge Fred Gore.
BCC Birthdays through January 14: Tina Forrester, January 9; Clayton Dowless, January 10; Sheila
Dockery, January 11; Donald Bryan and Mark Coleman, January 12
Faculty
andthe
Staff
Spotlight
Lighting
candle
Bruce Blansett - English Instructor
English instructor Bruce Blansett will quickly tell anyone who asks that he feels right
at home at Bladen Community College. The small college environment makes it possible to get to know virtually all of the staff and faculty and most of the students who
decide to further their education at BCC.
“I come from a very small community in the mountains of Virginia and am familiar
with a the rural environment we have here,” he said. “It reminds me of home.”
A native of Clintwood, Virginia, Mr. Blansett completed his undergraduate degree in
English at University of Virginia -Wise. He states that he had entered his undergraduate program with the intention of applying for medical school. As a result, he originally
planned to get his undergraduate degree in biology.
“I took an English course when I was a freshman that really piqued my interest in the
subject,” he explained. “I later learned that I could apply for medical school without a
degree in biology and changed my major to English. However, I continued to take premed courses throughout my undergrad studies. I didn’t change my mind about a career
until just before I completed my degree.
“I realized that I did not want the life of a physician and enrolled in a masters degree
program in English at Virginia Tech,” he said.
He completed his graduate program and began looking for employment in 2012. He says he saw an ad for an English instructor position at Bladen Community College and applied. He came to BCC in the fall of 2012.
“I really enjoy teaching, especially the interaction with students,” he said.
BCC announces honors for the fall semester
Bladen Community College has released its honors lists for the Fall 2014 Semester. To qualify for inclusion on the President’s List, a student must be considered full-time and have maintained a grade point average of 4.0 To qualify for inclusion on
the Dean’s List, a student must be considered full-time and have maintained a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.
President’s List
Amber Adcox, Tiffany Ammons, Aleigh Bridgers, Enka Bullard, Jennifer Cowan, Jamie Davis, Michael DeMaio, Madisone
Everette, Stephanie Freeman Jones, Sierra George, Kelsey Hammond, Rose Harper, Tammie Hemmingway, Erick Hernandez,
Kelly Hunt, Summer Jackson, Tina Jones-Butler, Zachary Kingsbury, Theresa Lesesne, Kelsey Locklear, Eden McDonald,
Amanda Mitchell, ShaBrima Montgomery, Amanda Morris, Robin Novak, Levy Pait, Jessica Parrack, Chelsie Patrick, Mandy
Rawls, Emilee Rigsbee, Jordan Roberts, Richard Shaw, Lenwood Shirley, Morgan Smith, Alyssa Sprouse, Taylor Stephens,
Priscilla Stewart, Suprina Thomas and Randi White.
Dean’s List
Megan Atkinson, Randy Barfield, Brandie Beck, Elizabeth Brisson, Liston Britt, Kelly Bryan, Marcus Butler, Jessica Carroll,
Amanda Carter, La-Faith Council, Charlie Cruz, Chad Daughtridge, Sydney Davis, Justin Dieffenbach, Amy Dillard, Kimberly
Faircloth, Brianna Freeman, Jacklyn Galyean, Amber Glover, Corbin Goldsmith, Johnathan Guiza, Carol Hendrix, Lytena
Hunt, Tamara Inman, Aaron Jacobs, Kasey Jacobs, Lexie Jacobs, Tanisha Jones, Ethan Jordan, Raeanna Locklear, Sandra
Locklear, Ashley Love, Precious McArn, Brock McCoy, Cyndavia McKoy, Michael Mitchell, Tierra Oxendine, Ashton Oxendine, Lesly Portillo-Ramirez, Adrianna Reaves, Gabriel Reyes-Maldonado, Adriana Robinson, Stephanie Russell, Eric Shelton, Melissa Simon, Brandon Smith, Jonathon Sweeney, Julie Tatum, Chelsey Tedder, Wyatt Terry, Mary Thomas, Joshua
Thomas, Tina Troublefield and Maachah Wheeler.
Gifts to the BCC Foundation
Linda and Jim Burney in honor of Dr. William Findt on his birthday.
Dr. and Mrs. William Findt in memory of Dr. Bruce Phillips, a member of the BCC Foundation Board of Directors.
Linda and Jim Burney in memory of Dr. Bruce Phillips, member of the BCC Foundation Board of Directors.
Dr. and Mrs. William Findt, in support of the Lynn and Iris King Teaching Scholarship Fund.
Linda Burney 879.5519
Registrar’s Office still accepting
applications for graduation
The BCC Registrar’s Office is still accepting applications from students who complete requirements to earn
degrees, diplomas and certificates for this year. That includes students who completed requirements any of these
credentials during the fall 2014 semester, or will complete
requirements during the spring or summer semesters of
2015.
Though the deadline was November 26, 2014, students
may still apply. To pick up a graduation application packet,, go to the Registrar’s Office in Building 2, Room 116 or
118. Students must complete the graduation application
and return it to the Registrar’s Office.
Nelnet plan for spring
Registration
Spring Regular and Late Registration
Signing up for Upswing for the Spring
Semester.
Sign-up for the online tutoring service Upswing is ongoing and is
available at the Upswing website. The online tutoring service is
available to students taking most of the courses offered at
BCC...and it is FREE. Tutors are available 24/7 for immediate
tutoring or students can schedule a tutoring session for a later time
or date. Upswing Ambassadors Robin Novak and Katiesha Hayes
are available at the LEC to help students who desire help in accessing the service. They will be available at the LEC for the
spring semester beginning on January 12.
January 12
50%
1
Feb 20 Only
Full payments may be made on e-Cashier using ACH or
credit card.
BCC ADNs can earn BSN
Individuals who complete their associate degree in nursing at BCC
can earn their bachelor’s in nursing through the Bridge Program offered
by University of North Carolina-Pembroke. BCC is proud to partner
with UNCP to create a seamless opportunity for Bladen County registered nurses to continue their education through UNCP’s bachelor of
science in nursing (BSN) program. The articulation agreement, known
as the Bridge Program, allows registered nurses (RNs), who graduate
with an associate’s degree in nursing, to transfer up to 62 credit hours
into the RN to BSN program. This opportunity to complete more transferrable credit hours on the community college campus eases time and
financial barriers registered nurses often face as they return to school to
further their degrees. Pre-licensure nursing students and general education students are also encouraged to learn more about the program, as
careful selection of general education courses now provides students
with a successful path to an accelerated nursing degree in the future. For
more information, contact Michelle Norris, BCC Nursing Faculty and
RN-BSN Liaison, at 910.879.5541 or email mnorris@bladencc.edu.
Don’t miss program on Dr. King
A program on Dr. Martin Luther King will be presented in the BCC
Auditorium on Tuesday, January 20, at 11 a.m. The featured speaker
is recently elected District Court Judge Fred Gore, who presides in
Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen counties. The program is presented
by the BCC Diversity Committee.
Mark Coleman
Microsoft IT Academy offers
certifications at no cost
In a program offered through a grant, Bladen
Community College is offering individuals the opportunity to earn certification in five different areas
through the Microsoft IT Academy. The grant that
funds the certification examinations is available for
this fiscal year. It provides the opportunity for certification in Microsoft Office Excel 2013, Microsoft
Office Word 2013, Microsoft Office Powerpoint
2013, Microsoft Office Access 2013 and Microsoft
Office Outlook 2013. During last fiscal year 13 BCC
faculty, staff and students earned certification in one
or more of the areas. These certifications can enhance employability and can be beneficial not on employment resumes, but also enhance chances of promotion in your current job.
Don’t miss this great opportunity. For more information on taking one or more of the exams, call Cynthia McKoy at 879.5566 or Chad McKenzie at
879.5640.
Learning Enhancement Center
regular hours of Operation
The Learning Enhancement Center will return to its
regular hours of operation with full tutoring services
on January 12.
Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Felisa Williams 879.5560
host Walk
Miles for Wellness Challenge 10
Fifteen faculty and staff members completed the Miles for Wellness Challenge 10 and were honored for their accomplishments at
the January 2 All Campus Assembly. Two teams participated—the Blazers and Cruisers. The Blazers walked 3,657,224 steps
(1,829 miles) and the Cruisers walked 3,175,839 steps (1,588 miles). The members of the Blazers who completed the challenge
were: Elsie Blackwell, Audrey Lewis, Mary Anne Walker, Jennifer Whittington, Lenore Lacy, Andrea Carter-Fisher, Fordie
McNeil and Tim Marshburn. The Cruisers who completed the challenge were Christine McDonald, Diane Vitale, Ginger King,
Twyla Davis, Brenda Kemp, Kathleen McGurgan and Tiina Mundy. In above photo are, from left, Twyla Davis, Elsie Blackwell,
Audrey Lewis, Jennifer Whittington, Kathleen McGurgan, Ginger King, Diane Vitale, Tiina Mundy, Brenda Kemp and Christine
McDonald. Mary Anne Walker, Andrea Carter-Fisher, Fordie McNeil, Tim Marshburn and Lenore Lacy were not available for
photo.
The purpose of the Miles for Wellness, a Move More Team Competition sponsored by the Benefits, Rewards & Wellness Division
of the NC Office of State Human Resources, is to encourage and
support employees to increase their level of physical activity
above their current baseline of steps per day, with the goal of
10,000 steps or the equivalent of five (5) miles, achieved most
days of the week.
Extended Bookstore hours of operation
The Bookstore will have extended hours of operation through
January 15. Hours on Monday through Thursday will be 9 a.m.
—2 p.m. and 4 - 7 p.m. Regular hours—9 a.m. until 2 p.m.—
will return on January 20. Cassie Campbell 879.5573
From the Green Technology Committee
Many actions that help the environment can also save you
money week in and week out. Things as simple as using grocery bags for household garbage rather than purchasing garbage
If you are an aspiring writer or just like subjects related
bags can save as much as $15 to $30 in a year. Washing out and
to reading and writing activities, the Ink Quill Society
reusing containers that goods such as shredded cheese are packed offers a great opportunity to take part in these activities
in can save a substantial amount on bags and cartons. Using
and even have some of your works published later in the
milk jugs for watering, etc. can save money. Go online and
year. The society meeting schedule for spring will be ancheck out the various ways you can reuse products to save monnounced. For more information on the Ink Quill Society,
ey and conserve resources.
Kathy McGurgan 879.5668 call or drop by and see Ms. Joyce Bahhouth 879.5540
Join the Ink Quill Society
Four earn TestOut Network Pro certification
In December, four local residents completed requirements for certification in one
in TestOut Network Pro . They are, in photo at left, Nicolas Bauer, and photo below
from left, Patrick Morris, Brock McCoy and Danny Phillips. The certification is evidence of the ability of the holder to perform real-world tasks using the Windows operating system and common networking software. The certification was earned in
conjunction with the NET 110: Networking Concepts course. For information on
earning one or more of the certifications, call Lee Anne Bryan at 879-5653 or email
her at lbryan@bladencc.edu.
BCC facility use by non-affiliated agencies
In this and future issues of The Flyer, we will publish a list of outside agencies who have scheduled use of college facilities:
DATE
EVENT
TIME
FACILITY
January 15, 2015
January 29, 2015
North Carolina Institute of Medicine
National Safety Council
Con Ed program location changes
The Continuing Education Compensatory Education and
Adult High School classes that have been held at the Elizabethtown Community Building are scheduled to be moved to
the Elizabethtown Middle School effective January 12.
Sondra Guyton 879.5634
1 p.m.
9 a.m.
Auditorium
Auditorium
BCC Library hours
The Bladen Community College Library is open to both students and the general public. Its normal hours of operation are
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and 8 a.m.
until 3 p.m. on Friday. The facility will return to normal hours
on Monday, January 12.
Sherwin Rice 879.5646
Getting the scoop
In left photo, BCC counselor Sally Valentiner
talks with second-year student Carolina Sarmiento during registration on Monday. In
below photo, Associate Vice President for
Academic Services Cynthia McKoy briefs students during New Student Orientation on
Monday.
LaVere to kick off Writers Series in spring semester
Author and history professor Dr. David LaVere will return to Bladen Community College on
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 to kick off the spring semester Writers Series. He first gave a
presentation at BCC on The Lost Colony in 2011. This time his presentation will center on the
Tuscarora War 1711-1715.
Born in New Orleans, Dr. LaVere earned a bachelor or arts in history and journalism and a
master of arts in history from Northwestern State University in his native Louisiana. He completed a Ph.D. in history from Texas A&M University. He is also a former Marine infantryman.
His specialty is American Indian History and he teaches several graduate history classes at
the University of North Carolina - Wilmington, and researches on Southeastern Indians, especially those in the Carolinas.
He has published seven books: The Tuscarora W ar: Indians, Settlers and the Fight for the
Carolina Colonies (2013), The Lost Rocks: The Dare Stones and the Unsolved Mystery of Sir
Walter Raleigh’s Lost Colony (2010) Looting Spiro Mounds (2007), The Texas Indians (2004);
Contrary Neighbors: Southern Plains and Removed Indians in Indian Territory (2000).
David LaVere
Business plan competition and seminar series on tap
Do you have a garden that overproduces? Do you have an idea for what to do with some extra acres of land? The Small
Business Center at Bladen Community College, the Bladen County Extension, and NC Real Enterprises have an opportunity for
you!
Join other entrepreneurs at the Bladen County Extension Office for a seminar series and business plan competition and turn
your idea into a money-making business! Thanks to a grant, scholarships are available for individuals to participate at no cost
for the chance to win a first place prize of $500 or second place $250 prize.
The seminars start on January 26 for four weeks. This opportunity will show you how to take your idea or existing business
and grow it.
For more information or to apply for the scholarship, call 910.879.5572.
There will be an introductory event on January 13, 6 - 9 p.m. at Bladen Community College to highlight the series and business plan competition.
The competition and seminars are sponsored by the Small Business Center at Bladen Community College, the Bladen County
Extension, and NC Real Enterprises, but is open to all Bladen County and surrounding county residents.