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Sept. 24, 2010

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Gov. Perdue Helps Dedicate RCCC Building at NCRC

Calling the new facility “a place where dreams come true,” North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue joined college leaders, research campus representatives and other elected officials to dedicate the new Rowan-Cabarrus Community College classroom and laboratory building at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC). “Fourteen hours a day, up to 300 students and teachers will be working hard in this building. When those students graduate, they will have the real, 21st century skills they’ll need to be marketable in today’s economy,” Perdue said. “They will have used the same lab equipment world-class researchers use and learned the same theories. They will have run the same tests, and developed

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RCCC Honors Employees Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently held its annual Convocation/Employee Recognition Day, during which a number of employees were honored. The following service awards were presented for five years of full-time service: Randy Allen, Jane Benson, Sharon Cluka, Cathy Cook, Jon Crockett, Charles Dobbins, Pam Forrest, Leigh Hall, Caroll Hodgson,

Brandon Hoffner, Mitzi Honeycutt, Mary Hutchinson, Robert Keeney, John Kneip, Rebecca L’Hommedieu, Theresa Leflore, Eric Lentz, Natasha Lipscomb, Donna Ludwig, Karen Lynden, Denise Madrazo, Jerry McGrady, Crystal Ryerson, Troy Schiedenhelm, Carl Smith, Nathan Snyder, Patricia Stirewalt, Torri Torres, and Gary Yates. Service awards for 10 years of

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Flu Shot Clinics will be held Oct. 12 at North Campus from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Room 251A and at South Campus Oct. 13 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. in Room 106. Watch more information and reminders in the upcoming weeks.

2010 Retirement Planning Conferences Schedule The N.C. Retirement Systems conducts retirement conferences for members of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) and the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS). The conferences provide an orientation for new members, pre-retirement planning information for members closer to retirement and educational information for personnel officers and others who handle retirement matters. Registration is not required. Some locations may charge a parking fee. Below is a partial schedule of Retirement Planning Conferences.

Flu Shot Clinics and Retirement PlanningTSERS sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. and LGERS sessions start at 1:30 p.m. The conference schedule is available on the Employers and Active Employees sections of the Retirement Systems website at www.myncretirement.com. Members should check the website regularly, or contact Member Services unit at 1-877-627-3287 (for outside of Raleigh area) for schedule updates. Member Services employees at the Retirement Systems are happy to help with questions. Please call 1-877-627-3287 (toll-free) or 919-807-3050 (Raleigh area only). Members may also schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. We ask that members request and receive a retirement estimate before scheduling an appointment. Members should complete a Form 309 to request an estimate. Members unable to attend their local conferences may access the PowerPoint presentation shown at the conference. The presentation is available on the Active Employees sections of the

Retirement Systems website under “Retirement Planning Resources.” There is a presentation for TSERS members and one for LGERS members.

September 29 ImaginonWachovia Theater300 E Seventh StreetCharlotte, NC

October 12 Alamance Community CollegeAuditorium-Main Campus1247 Jimmie Kerr RoadGraham, NC

October 28 Salisbury Civic Center315 S Martin Luther King StreetSalisbury, NC

November 3 City of HickoryJulian Whitner Municipal Building-Council Chambers76 N Center StreetHickory, NC

Monday is College Day at Afton Ridge Chick-fil-A

Every Monday is “College Day” at the Afton Ridge Chick-fil-A, in Concord. RCCC students, faculty and staff members will receive a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Nuggets (eight-count) or Biscuit with the purchase of a medium drink and either waffle potato fries or hash browns.

The College Day offer is valid at the Afton Ridge Chick-fil-A only for RCCC students, faculty and staff who present a valid RCCC ID. The offer runs through the fall semester The Afton Ridge Chick-fil-A is located at 6061 Bay Field Parkway, 704-720-7580. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Half-Off Lunch at ‘Forty Six’

for RCCC Faculty, Staff

In honor of the opening and dedication of the RCCC building at the NC Research Campus, restaurant Forty Six invites all RCCC employees and students to enjoy lunch at a half-price discount. Forty Six is offering anyone with a valid RCCC ID, half off their lunch for the entire month of September. Forty Six is located at 101 West Ave., in Kannapolis. Phone – (704) 250-4644.

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J.F. Hurley Family YMCA - SalisburyFlu Shots: October 13th 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm ($29.99 or insurance may be filed)Diabetes Support Group (Guest Speaker: Registered Dietician, Michelle Henrickson): October 13th 11am-12pm J. Fred Corriher, Jr. YMCA - South RowanMenopause Talk by Dr. Stevens: October 7th 6pm (Dinner Provided)Flu Shots: October 14th 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm ($29.99 or insurance may be filed) Saleeby-Fisher YMCA - East RowanFlu Shots: October 12th 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm ($29.99 or insurance may be filed)Advance Directive Workshop: October 19th 5:30pm-7:30pm

Upcoming Health & Wellness Activities

full-time service were presented to: John Brand, Gale Brewer, Jonathan Church, Roger McDaniel, Wade Vernon, Linne’ Wallace, and Nancy Whittaker. Service awards for 15 years of full-time service were presented to: Shelby Harwood, Ann Morris, Sandra Novick, Debbie Pinkston, Carl Ritchie, and Spencer Rummage. Twenty-year service award recipients included Sue Cunningham and Crystal McMillan. Employees who received 30-year service awards were Leamon Brown, Terry Chapman, Lynn Coughenour, and Cathy Norris. President Spalding presented RCCC Outstanding Employee Awards to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the college. Individuals receiving those awards were nominated and selected by their peers for this special recognition. Full-time faculty receiving Outstanding Employee awards included Michele Chance and Claudia Swicegood. Michele is the Program Head for the Electronics Engineering Technology Program and has been employed by RCCC since 1993. She

holds an A.A.S. degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and a M.A. degree from Appalachian State University. Michele resides in Kannapolis. Claudia Swicegood , Program Head, Developmental English, Reading & ACA, has been an RCCC employee since 1994. Claudia holds a B.A. degree from Furman University, an M.H.D.L. degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and a Curriculum Specialist degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Ms. Swicegood is a Salisbury resident. Full-time staff receiving Outstanding Employee awards included the following: Kim Barnett, Mark Ebersole, and Peggy Rummage. Kim Barnett, Special Assistant, Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness, has been employed with RCCC since 2007. Kim received her associate degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. She resides in Kannapolis. Mark Ebersole, Associate Vice President for Student Services, has been employed with RCCC since 1994. He holds a B.A. from UNC-Charlotte, is a National Certified Counselor, a N.C.

Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Certified Reality Therapist. Mark is a Salisbury resident. Peggy Rummage, HR Recruiting Specialist, has been an RCCC employee since 1994. Peggy received her A.A.S. degree from RCCC. She resides in Salisbury. Part-time Outstanding Employee awards were presented to Cathy Triplette, Satania Coleman, and Frank Linker. Cathy Triplette, part-time evening receptionist at the RCCC South Campus, has been employed with RCCC since 2007. She holds an A.A.S. degree from RCCC. Cathy is a Salisbury resident. Satania Coleman, part-time tutor in the STAR (Student Tutor and Academic Resource) center has been an RCCC employee since 2008. She is currently enrolled in the Computer Programming program at RCCC. Satania resides in Salisbury. Frank Linker, part-time AHR (Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration) instructor has been employed at RCCC since 2000. He holds a diploma in AHR from RCCC. Frank is a Concord resident.

South Campus Yard Sale

The Cabarrus County Early College PTO is sponsoring a yard-sale Oct. 9 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the South Campus. The event is open to everyone. If you are interested in selling items, you can reserve a spot (2 parking spaces) for $20 each, additional space is $5. Please register in advance by picking up a registration form in the Early College office, located on the bottom floor of the 2000. Registrations are due by Wednesday, Oct. 6. Participants will be able to set up 6 a.m. the morning of the sale and will need to provide their own tables.

RCCC Employees from pg. 1

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their own hypotheses. They will be ready to join the scientists here at the N.C. Research Campus who are working to find a cure for diseases and develop foods that are healthier for our bodies and more sustainable for our farms.” Joining Gov. Perdue at the speakers’ podium were N.C. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell Jr.; David H. Murdock, owner and chairman of Dole Food Co., and Castle & Cooke Inc., and the founder of the NCRC; Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership; Carl Short Jr., chairman of the RCCC Board of Trustees; Ray Paradowski, RCCC trustee; and Carol Spalding, Ed.D., RCCC president. “This 62,332-square-foot facility offers students state-of-the-art biology, microbiology, genetics, and chemistry labs; classrooms with a full array of technology; a high-tech distance learning classroom; and the opportunity to study and learn within easy walking distance of potential future employers. The building is designed to help

students transition easily from college to careers or further study at a university,” Spalding said. “This building also symbolizes the need for continuous education. Working adults can never stop learning in this new economy, impacted by ever-changing technology. All of us will need new training periodically just to keep up. Some of us will need to re-invent ourselves, as we transition into new careers – second, third and maybe even a fourth career over a 50-year working period,” Spalding added. The RCCC classroom and laboratory building at the NCRC is the home of RCCC’s associate degree program in biotechnology and the future base of planned associate degree programs in agricultural biotechnology and health information technology, plus multiple shorter-term certificate programs. Graduates of these programs will meet many of the current and future workforce needs of the NCRC. The building opened to students and classes on Aug. 16. There are

approximately 160 students in RCCC’s associate degree program in biotechnology. The newly constructed building also is helping RCCC provide a research campus link to local businesses. Based at the NCRC are RCCC’s Small Business Center and Office of Corporate & Professional Development. Through these outreach initiatives, RCCC provides local businesses and small business owners access to potential growth opportunities at the NCRC. “During the construction of this building, it was called many things,” said Paradowski. “Among these were ‘community college holy ground,’ the ‘quintessential community college-economic development story,’ ‘a flagship building,’ and a ‘tangible link to the community.’ Well, I’m delighted to say, this building is all of that and more. And best of all, it’s now open to our students and the community.”

Dedication from pg. 1

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RCCC’s N.C. Research Campus Classroom and Laboratory Building at a Glance:

• 62,332 square feet• 3 Floors• 10 Classrooms• 10 Laboratories• 28-30 Faculty & Staff Offices• Community Event Room – seats 95• Library• Multiple Conference Rooms• Student Center with vending.

“This is a proud moment for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. This new classroom and laboratory facility is the result of hard work and cooperation,” Short said. “So many people at the college, in this community, here on the research campus, and in Raleigh played important roles in turning the idea and

concept of this facility into the reality you see before us. This building is an example of what can happen when people work together for a cause greater than themselves.” The RCCC building was constructed by NCRC developer Castle & Cooke Inc., at a cost of approximately $26 million. The State of North Carolina is funding a 20-year lease on the building. After 20 years, the facility will become the property of RCCC. “The RCCC building represents a generous investment by the State of North Carolina in the economic and educational advancement of Cabarrus and Rowan counties,” explained Sen. Hartsell. “All of North Carolina is paying for the building, but Cabarrus and Rowan counties are getting the benefit.”

What is North Carolina’s State Horse? Who were the Lords Proprietors? What part does North Carolina play in the history of NASCAR? You can find out all of this, and a lot more, at the newly designed NCpedia (http://ncpedia.org), a free and reliable resource for students and other researchers interested in topics related to North Carolina. The NCpedia officially launched September 1st, 2010. The current NCpedia expands on the State Library of North Carolina’s popular eNCyclopedia, which began in the 1970s when the State Library published glossy brochures to send to individuals and school children who wrote in asking for basic information about North Carolina’s history, government and state symbols. To minimize expenses and reach a broader audience, information in these brochures was migrated to the Web in the 1990s and, no longer constrained by a single sheet of paper, grew into the eNCyclopedia. Answers to frequently asked reference questions were added as were the State Library’s first digital projects. “The NCpedia is great example of North Carolinians harnessing the power of collaborative knowledge sharing to meets individual needs,” said Tim Rogers, Executive Director of NC LIVE. Changes in the NCpedia’s

Check Out NCpedia – The State’s On-line Encyclopedia

functionality were based on the results of a statewide survey conducted in June of 2009. A partnership between the State Library of North Carolina and NC LIVE has led to the new enhanced interface. Content has been added from contributors at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Barton College, the North Carolina Museum of History, the North Carolina State Archives, the North Carolina Writers’ Network, the State Library of North Carolina’s Government and Heritage Library, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte and more. The NCpedia will continue to grow, with articles that feature narrative descriptions, links to introductory resources, and recommended sources for more information. Entries highlight famous North Carolinians, including all past governors, and lesser known North Carolinians like bull-riding champion Jerome Davis. You can also read about events in the state’s history or view a timeline that covers events related to different cultural themes. Additional entries, videos, images and audio will be added to the NCpedia on an ongoing basis. You can also follow the NCpedia on Twitter (twitter.com/ncencyclopedia). Stop by the NCpedia (ncpedia.org) at any time and let us know what you think. NC LIVE is North Carolina’s online library, designed for at-home use through www.nclive.org and library websites across the state. Patrons of any of the state’s public libraries, and students, faculty and staff of North Carolina’s community colleges, public universities, and independent colleges and universities can access all NC LIVE resources at no cost. NC LIVE’s online collection includes electronic resources,

such as eBooks, audio books, videos, journals, magazines, and newspapers for all age levels on topics ranging from careers, business, and investing, to auto repair, health, history, and genealogy. Contact your local library for access to NC LIVE. For more information, please visit www.nclive.org.

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Employee News

Welcome Anita Girelli who has

joined RCCC as a transcript evaluator.

Anita is a graduate of the University

of Connecticut with a B.S. degree in sec-

ondary math education. She is licensed

to teach secondary math in both Con-

necticut and North Carolina. Additionally,

she is a certified North Carolina real

estate broker.

Her previous employment includes

software development with Impact Tech-

nologies Group and RTMS. Recently

she has served as a part-time instructor,

teaching Microsoft Office applications

and instructing in the Career Readiness

Certification Lab at RCCC.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is currently recruiting for the 2010-2011 academic year. This year PBL has scholarship money available to defer the cost of membership for those deserving, but unable to find funds to join. Faculty members have an opportunity to see their students participate in a worthwhile student organization, compete in state and national competitions, and possibly win awards in multiple academic areas. We know we have excellent instruction at RCCC. Let’s show the rest of the state and nation how great we really are. In the academic year 2009-2010 we had three state and two national awards from Criminal Justice and Business Presentation. In the academic year 2008-2009 we brought home six state awards in 1st place - Business Communication; 2nd place - Information Management; 2nd place - Marketing Concepts; 5th place - Business Law; 6th place - Justice

PBL Now RecruitingAdministration, 8th place - Job Interview. Among the many benefits of joining, students will gain leadership, team building, and networking skills. Students also get to attend workshops to assist students as they become tomorrow’s business leaders. Students will also get the chance to travel, just as past students have traveled to California and Tennessee to compete in national competition. Please help us help your students. This is a great resume building opportunity. If you have students who excel in the areas listed below, please encourage them to join PBL and represent us in competition next April.

Accounting Analysis & Decision MakingAccounting for Professionals (school-site test)Accounting Principles Business CommunicationBusiness Law

Client Service Computer Applications (school-site test)Computer ConceptsComputer Game & Simulation ProgrammingContemporary Sports Issues Cyber Security Database Design & Applications (school-site test)Desktop PublishingDigital Video ProductionEconomic Analysis & Decision MakingFinancial Analysis & Decision MakingFinancial ConceptsFuture Business ExecutiveFuture Business TeacherHelp Desk Impromptu SpeakingInformation ManagementInternational BusinessJob Interviewing

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In conjunction with RCCC’s Family Fall Fest, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has organized a community yard sale. Date: Oct. 23 Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Location: RCCC Concord South Campus, outside 2000 building

RCCC Community The RCCC Fall Fest will be on the opposite side of the campus. Rain or shine; tables will be set up in the 2000 building in the hallways. Clubs, individuals and businesses inside and outside the college community can reserve a table for $20. Make checks only payable to RCCC Phi Theta Kappa. Funds

collected will be used to support Phi Theta Kappa chapter events, primarily student travel to honors events. Final registration and payment deadline: October 15, 2010 Contact Karen Lynden, PTK advisor, at karen.lynden@rccc.edu or x3642.

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