SCC cuts ribbon for Chadbourn Bell Pavilion, kicks off season with SummerFest 2025
The Chadbourn Bell Pavilion, the newly constructed home of Southeastern Community College’s heritage, attracted more than 100 people on June 26 to celebrate the structure’s completion. SCC President Dr. Chris English, along with members of the Arthur Williamson family, slashed a ribbon to commemorate the efforts of the Raise the Bell campaign and establish a new centerpiece of SCC’s campus.
“The ringing of a bell marks the beginning of a day and the ending of a day,” English said. “But the bell, for us, is a reminder of where we’ve been, what we’ve done and where we’re going. We dedicate this pavilion to the Williamson family and the impact you’ve had on Southeastern Community College with the giving of the land the college sits on today.”
In 1980, the Chadbourn Bell was dedicated to Arthur Williamson, a founding father of the college who donated his land to SCC. His family attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, and his daughter, Jean Arthur Hammond, rang the bell before the ribbon was cut.
“I was shocked when I first saw it because of the size of the pavilion and the elevation of the bell,” Hammond said. “This is a great enhancement to the college, and I plan on coming out here to sit on the benches and just watch the kids go by. I was a student out here, and there are about 30 of our family members with ties to the college. This new bell pavilion is just icing on the cake.”
SCC Foundation Executive Director Terrie Priest said that McMillian, Pazdan Smith Architecture came up with the design of the pavilion. Artworks Builders, LLC constructed the pavilion, and Flora Landscapes took care of the landscaping.
“I thought the ribbon cutting ceremony was a big success and had a great turnout for the event,” Priest said. “Everyone was so excited to see the structure and see the brick they purchased.”
Priest said the on-going Raise the Bell campaign fundraiser is still active. A 4×8 engraved brick is $100, and an 8×8 engraved brick is $250. Bench sponsorships are $5,000, and Pavilion Column sponsorships are $10,000.
SummerFest 2025
As the ribbon cutting ceremony concluded, SummerFest 2025 kicked off SCC’s summer season with food, fun and fellowship on the A-building lawn.
In partnership with the Columbus County Community Farmers Market and Black’s Tire, SCC hosted the summer festival, a fun and free event for families to bring children and adult learners to connect with campus resources and programs. There were six SCC program and information tables set up to serve those interested in classes.
Considering the intense heat outside, Dean of Student Services Colene Faulk estimated about 250 attendees at the SummerFest event. She said that attendees browsed and shopped at 12 local vendors and six food trucks, children enjoyed inflatables and carnival games and the cruise-in had 16 vintage cars on display.
“I think SummerFest 2025 was a huge success,” Faulk said. “We brought together adult learners, families, our campus educators and community partners in a lively celebration of growth and life-long learning.”
Faulk explained that SummerFest 2025 was a chance to engage with adult learners and to highlight pathways to educational and career success at SCC. She said the event was filled with positive energy and meaningful connections. SummerFest spotlighted NC Reconnect’s core concept of “career in a year” with information booths on phlebotomy, truck driver training, welding and nurse aide. The welding and electrical engineering mobile labs were on display.
“Right before all these Fourth of July events, SummerFest was a great way to set the tone for a season of food, fun and family,” Faulk said. “It showed the community what SCC is doing to meet its educational needs.”
For more information on the Raise the Bell engraved brick fundraiser, contact the SCC Foundation at 910-788-6260 or [email protected].
