College News

Family a 'walking ad' for CCCC

01.04.2013 • College & Community, College General, Special Events

CAMERON - "If people don't know what to do with their lives, I send them to Central Carolina Community College!" said Kimberly Neiss, of Cameron, a 2010 graduate of the college and a single mother of 10.

Neiss speaks from a lot of experience. So far, five of her children have graduated from or are attending the college. She plans for the others to do so also.

Neiss was divorced in 2003 and was given custody of the children, then ranging in age from a toddler to teens. She and the older children worked hard and stayed close to each other.

In 2005, her oldest sons, Thomas and Patrick Gietzen, withdrew from high school. Determined that they must continue their education, Neiss began searching and found Central Carolina Community College's Adult Education Center in Lillington.

Her sons thrived in that educational environment, with Thomas receiving his high school diploma and Patrick, his GED. She encouraged them to continue their education and both enrolled in college courses at CCCC.

Then, the store Neiss worked at closed, so she decided it was the right time to return to school. She chose CCCC for herself and was impressed at the education she and her sons were receiving.

"I loved my experience at CCCC," Neiss said. "I loved my instructors and everyone whom I and my kids had the privilege to learn from. They build you up as you go along and advance from class to class."

Theresa Gietzen, Neiss' daughter, smiled as she recalled her mother's enthusiasm when she found out all that the college offered.

"Mom is awesome!" Theresa said. "She always taught us that having a good education is the most important thing you can do for yourself to get further in life. She told all of us, 'I found your college. Everybody is going to CCCC!'"

From 2007 to the present, education at CCCC has been the family focus. The only exception has been the oldest daughter, Mary Scrivens, of Rolla, Mo., who is earning a degree from Campbell University via distance education. In the 2009-10 school year, Neiss and five of her children were all attending CCCC at the same time.

"We spent a lot of time in the Financial Aid Office," she said, recalling the careful planning, as well as the help received, to finance educations for herself and multiple children. She never allowed not getting an education to be an option.

As the younger children have grown, they have followed in their siblings' footsteps and enrolled at the college. Those too young to go have seen the success achieved by their older siblings with the unfailing encouragement and example of their mother as well as the supportive environment at the college.

"Mom's the hardest worker in our family," said Julia, 14. "She's always talking about doing things the right way, doing things better."

Neiss gives great credit to her children, who had to work hard and watch after each other because she was working at several jobs.

"We stuck together and had faith," Neiss said. "I always told them, 'We are doing the impossible: everyone's going to school.'"

Then, with a smile, she added, "We've come a long way. I'm so proud of them."

CCCC President Bud Marchant said he is impressed with and proud of Neiss and her children.

"Our mission as a college is to serve as a catalyst for personal, community, and economic development by empowering people through education and training," he said. "Kimberly Neiss and her children are wonderful examples of this. They have benefitted from the college's programs and student-focused learning environment and, in turn, are going out into their communities to be successful, contributing citizens."

The achievements of the family at CCCC are impressive:

• Neiss graduated in 2010 with an Associate in Arts and is now an executive administrative assistant with BHI Army Guesthouses, at Fort Bragg;
• Thomas Gietzen, 25, of Sanford, received his high school diploma through Adult Education in 2007 and is now completing his Associate in Arts degree. He has enlisted in the Navy and, with his education, will enter as an E3 Seaman with an electronics technician specialty.
• Patrick Gietzen, 23, of Sanford, earned his GED in 2007 through Adult Education and enrolled for college at CCCC. He graduated in 2012 with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma, Computer Aided Manufacturing Certificate, and Computer Aided Drafting Certificate. He is now a manufacturing engineer at WST Industries.
• Andrew Gietzen, 23, of Rolla, Mo., is earning his final four credits for his Associate in Arts degree through the college's Distance Education program.
• Theresa Gietzen, 22, of Sanford, earned her high school diploma through Adult Education and went on to graduate in 2011 with an A.A.S. degree in Laser & Photonics, with honors. She now works in research and development at Cree Corp. She is continuing her education at the college, working on her Associate in Science degree.

  Theresa learned about the Laser and Photonics program when her middle school class toured the Lillington campus, a regular event hosted by the college.

  "I was so impressed," she said. "I knew I wanted to be part of it. When I attended CCCC, I felt all the teachers really cared about my education and beyond. The college not only gave me a well-rounded education, it also prepared me for my career. I couldn't be where I am today without my degree."

• David Gietzen, 19, of Sanford, received his GED in 2009, earning an almost perfect score on the exams. He is on schedule to graduate in the spring with his Associate in Arts degree.

Neiss' four youngest: Margaret Gietzen, 17, and Ruth Gietzen, 15, students at Overhills High School; Julia Gietzen, 14, a student at Overhills Middle School; and Deborah Gietzen, 12, a student at Johnsonville Elementary, all live at home with their mother. She sees CCCC in their future.

Margaret already has her plans. Because of her family's experience with the college, she said she is going to go to CCCC and then transfer to North Dakota University and get her doctorate in physical therapy.

Neiss smiled proudly at all her children have accomplished and will accomplish at CCCC.

"My family is a walking advertisement for CCCC," she said.

Dr. Anthony Harrington, CCCC lead history instructor, had several of the family in his classes.

"Kimberly Neiss was an excellent student," he said. "Obviously this idea of a hard work ethic rubbed off on the two children I had, Thomas and Patrick. Both did an excellent job in my class. Now, for anyone to get a college degree you must put 110 percent into it. These folks did that."

Harrington added that, as Neiss said of her family's experiences at CCCC, when faculty and staff are committed, that is going to rub off on students and they will push for success.

"When I was hired back in 1988, CCCC had made up a button to wear: 'No College Cares More,'" he said. "That still rings true after 50 years of service to central North Carolina."

For more information about the college and its programs, visit its website, www.cccc.edu.

Kimberly Neiss (back, third from left), of Cameron, refers to herself and her children as an 'all-CCCC' family. Neiss graduated in 2010 with an Associate in Arts degree. So far, five of her children have graduated from or are attending the college and she is planning for the younger children to do so. Pictured (front from left) David (GED, 2009; A.A.-2013), Patrick (GED-2007, A.A.S.-2012), and Thomas Gietzen (high school diploma-2007, working on A.A.), all of Sanford; and back (from left) Theresa Gietzen (high school diploma-2009; A.A.S.-2011), of Sanford; and Julia, Gietzen, Kimberly Neiss, Deborah, Ruth, and Margaret Gietzen, all of Cameron. Not pictured are Mary Scrivens (who is attending Campbell University online) and Andrew Gietzen (working on his A.A. online), both of Rolla, Mo. For more information about the college and its programs, visit its website, www.cccc.edu.

Kimberly Neiss (left), of Cameron, says her family is Central Carolina Community College's biggest booster. She earned an Associate in Arts in 2010. Her son Patrick Gietzen (right), of Sanford, received his Associate in Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering at the college's Summer 2012 graduation. Her daughter Theresa Gietzen, of Sanford, received her Associate in Applied Science in Laser and Photonics in 2011. Three other children, Thomas, Andrew and David are finishing up their associate degrees. Neiss also plans to send her four youngest children to the college. For more information about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit its website, www.cccc.edu.

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• Serving Chatham, Harnett, & Lee Counties, NC
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