SCC scholarship donors and scholars honored at annual luncheon event
The Southeastern Community College Foundation hosted its annual Donors and Scholars Luncheon to honor the scholarship donors and their recipients at Vineland Station Depot on Nov. 12. With more than $400,000 awarded annually in scholarships that benefits a multitude of students, SCC Foundation Executive Director Terrie Priest said the luncheon is one of her favorite events of the year. With nearly 100 people in attendance, she said “it’s a great chance for students to connect with the donors.”
“I think when you look at Southeastern Community College as being the economic engine, it all starts with proper education,” said Nathan Moore, SCC Foundation Board of Directors Chair. “Unfortunately, there are barriers to education such as other living expenses that could keep them from earning that degree. Having this luncheon gives us a chance to pause and say thank you and encourage new people to get involved.”
Moore said the luncheon allows SCC to reward the donors and let them meet their scholarship’s recipients. He described the luncheon as a “pay day” for the donors in getting to see and interact with the fruits of their generous gift.
After a catered lunch provided by Joe’s Barbeque and a video presentation featuring three student scholarship recipient testimonies, SCC President Dr. Chris English gave the keynote address to the audience. English said he “never imagined” being able to lift people up as a college president, when he originally held career goals as an auto mechanic in the mountains of North Carolina.
“I always said that if a mechanic can do it, anybody can do it,” English said. “I never saw myself sitting in this seat. I’d like to thank the leadership of the SCC Board of Trustees and SCC Foundation Board in addition to Terrie and Melissa in the foundation office for making this possible.”
English commended the efforts of Dr. Jonathan Williams and Eddie Beck, superintendents of Whiteville City Schools and Columbus County Schools, respectively. Through partnerships with Columbus County’s local school systems, English said that SCC is creating a workforce pipeline through apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships and the Career and College Promise program.
English recognized the legacy and contributions of Phil Honeycutt and Randy Britt who both passed away earlier this year. Honeycutt served on the SCC Foundation Board of Directors from 2017 until his death. Britt served on the foundation board and board of trustees for 21 years while serving as trustees chair from 2008 to 2014.
Since English’s last address to the SCC Foundation’s Donors and Scholars Luncheon audience in 2022, SCC has expanded in programming and instructional space in addition to remodels to existing spaces. English said that truck driver training, electrical lineman and heavy equipment operator programs have and will pave ways to short-term training opportunities. Opening flex labs for automotive systems technology, remodeling the salon in cosmetology, installing an ambulance simulator in EMS and constructing a greenhouse in agribusiness technology enhanced the value of student experiences in those programs.
“This is all about workforce development and how we develop that product,” English said. “What opportunities do we truly open doors for people to take advantage of? In 2022, I gave you a vision for things to come and some direction, and wow, have we been busy.”
English explained that with the 78-acre campus expansion on the northeast end of SCC, construction has started on the $22 million Transportation Technology facility expected to open in 2027. The facility will feature a diesel engine program in addition to housing the automotive systems technology and truck driver training programs.
“We will continue to invest in the programing and placement of facilities on this new land,” English said. “We will continue to grow and continue to recognize the needs of this community, and we want to make sure that every member of this community has every opportunity for success.”
After recognizing the success of the Raise the Bell campaign, the construction of the Chadbourn Bell Pavilion and Apprenticeship Director Denise Young winning the Staff Person of the Year award at the state level, English directed the audience’s attention to NC Reconnect.
“We are changing the framework of our operation, and you may not realize that we’ve been doing that all along,” English said. “Under the ‘Better Skills, Better Jobs’ campaign, we are focusing on adult learners between the ages of 25 and 45.”
With Columbus County labeled as one of eight other counties in North Carolina as poverty-stricken, SCC is working to combat that issue with upskilling adult learners and preparing them for local high-wage careers. English said that enrolling adult learners at SCC will help break the poverty cycle, children will grow up in educated households and students will more likely earn economic success.
After detailing all the program expansions, campus expansions and adult learner enrollment expansions, English said that funding was critical for all of this to happen. He explained that this is where the generosity of scholarship donors comes into play. He thanked the donors for covering what state and federal funds don’t cover.
Are you interested in becoming a scholarship donor? Call the SCC Foundation at 910-788-6260 or visit sccnc.edu/give for more information.
