1) CCC&TI Foundation Community Campaign Sets Record Goal, Highlights College’s 50th Anniversary
The Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute held its Annual Fund Campaign kickoff luncheon on Wednesday, March 5 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, and the celebration extended well beyond the usual festivities. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of CCC&TI, Foundation leaders set a record high fund drive goal and challenged CCC&TI supporters to join the celebration by supporting student scholarships. Foundation Vice Chair Deborah Murray, at the opening of the luncheon, led the audience in a toast with specially decorated cupcakes topped with 50s. “Fifty years is an incredible milestone,” Murray said. “To 50 years of growth, challenge, accomplishment multiplied by the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have been touched by this college. Here’s to the first 50 years of CCC&TI making a night and day difference in Caldwell County.” Featuring community leaders, campaign volunteers, and college faculty and administrators, the event served as the start to fundraising efforts for the Foundation’s Annual Fund Drive. Peg Broyhill, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, offered opening remarks and welcomed the crowd of supporters. Broyhill also announced the goal for this year’s campaign as $350,000. “This year, the board decided to set the bar higher,” said Broyhill, adding that “The Future is Now” is this year’s fund drive theme. “As a birthday gift to the college, we pay tribute to its history and its future. “Now more than ever, we need your help,” she said. “We are asking everyone to join in this celebration by making your contribution and by giving a birthday present. These presents will be earmarked for scholarships for students who need financial assistance.” Broyhill recognized the faculty and staff members at CCC&TI, who kicked off their portion of the campaign in February. To date, the employee campaign has raised more than $32,000 and employees are continuing to bring in pledges. She also announced that this year’s Annual Fund Drive Co-Chairs are: Dr. Ed Beam, CCC&TI’s first president; Larry Taylor, current Chairman of the CCC&TI Board of Trustees; and former CCC&TI Board of Trustees Chairs Dr. Don Lackey, Brent Kincaid and Hugh Wilson. In her introduction she also acknowledged the late John Forlines and E.M. Dudley, who also previously chaired the CCC&TI Board of Trustees. “Each of these past and current leaders has been key to the success of CCC&TI, both then and now,” Broyhill said. “Without them, the college certainly would not be what it is today.” All five campaign co-chairs were in attendance and offered remarks by way of a 10-minute video discussing the history of CCC&TI and the importance of the Foundation. Dr. Ken Boham, President of CCC&TI, offered the group context on how far the institution has come in 50 years. In addition to serving more than 236,000 students over the institution’s 50-year history, Boham also cited CCC&TI’s growth from no buildings in 1964 to having multiple buildings on multiple campuses in Caldwell and Watauga counties, with two more buildings being added this spring. “Without the Foundation, much of our growth would not be possible,” he said, before challenging all donors to add an additional $50 to their 2014 pledges in honor of the 50th anniversary celebration. “Let the campaign begin; let us move forward; let us start the future of the next 50 right now.” Reminding supporters that the Foundation helps an estimated 600 to 800 students each year, Foundation Executive Director Marla Christie introduced two current CCC&TI students who have received assistance from the Foundation. Travis Huffman, who plans to transfer after graduating from CCC&TI to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public relations, was the recipient of the Wilson Family Scholarship. “Thousands of students have been aided by the Foundation who otherwise would not have been able to attend classes,” he said. “Such a generous donation encouraged me to be steadfast in my studies. … You have made a difference in both mine and my fellow students’ lives.” CCC&TI Cardiovascular Sonography student Stephanie Livingston, a single mom and former furniture industry worker, could not have entered the program without the help of the Foundation. “I knew I would have extra expenses to go back to college,” she said, adding that her daughter was hospitalized right before she was scheduled to start her classes. “Just know that you are literally changing someone’s life with every scholarship. I know it changed mine and I can’t thank you enough.” Another student speaker, Student Government Association President Joel Pitman, announced that the student portion of this year’s fund drive will include a 5K race on CCC&TI’s campus and in Hudson’s Redwood Park scheduled for April 19. Wrapping up the day’s festivities, Broyhill introduced each of the team captains for this year’s campaign. They are Dr. Kenneth Boham, Peg Broyhill, Barbara Freiman, Nancy Hemphill, Wayne Keller, Deborah Murray, Mark Poarch, Mary Frances Sullivan, Guy Walters, Marty Waters and Barbara Weiller. For more information on the Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, or to make a gift to the Annual Fund Drive, visit www.cccti.edu/foundation or contact the Foundation Office at 828-726-2203.
2) Poetry Event at Watauga Library April 26
Do you enjoy poetry? The Friends of the Library and Behind the Stacks will be hosting The “Favorite Poem” Event at the Watauga County Public Library on Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. Poetry-lovers of all ages are encouraged to present and discuss their favorite poem. For more information, please call the library at 828-264-8784.
3) Scuba Certification Course offered April 3-5
Appalachian State University Recreation is offering a scuba certification course where participants can get their PADI scuba certification. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures or simply see the wondrous world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Classes are held in the Appalachian State University Student Recreation Center Nanatorium April 3-5. Prior to taking the course, participants should be comfortable in the water and have basic swimming skills. For registration forms, fee information and class times, please visit www.aquatics.appstate.edu. For more information, call 828-262-2100.
4) Small Farms Week Kickoff March 24
Watauga County Cooperative Extension will kick off NC’s Small Farms Week with a day-long event in Boone on Monday, March 24 at the Boone United Methodist Church. The day’s program starts at 9:30 a.m. The morning session will include a keynote address by Dr. Manny Reyes of NCA&T State University on sustainable farm and community practices in mountainous regions, followed by breakout sessions on “Perennial Plants and Sustainability Strategies for Hillside Farming,” “Streamside Conservation Buffers on the Farm” and “Turning a Profit with Small Scale Livestock Production?” After lunch there will be a farm tour with three stops: Otus Branch Farm, Panoramic View Christmas Tree Farm and Moretz Mountain Orchard. Registration and lunch are both free for farmers. Please contact the extension office at 264-3061 to register by 5 p.m. on March 20.