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CCCC Phi Beta Lambda among the best at nationals

08.01.2013 • Admin, Faculty & Staff, College & Community, College General, Special Events

SANFORD - The Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees honored two of its departing members at its July 24 meeting.

Trustees R.V. Hight, and Ophelia Livingston, both of Lee County, were praised for their service to the college at a reception prior to the board meeting.

Board Chair Julian Philpott thanked them for their volunteer service to the college, telling them that the college was "much richer for your being on the board."

"R.V. and Ophelia have been outstanding examples of what trustees should be," he said. "They have been outstanding ambassadors for the college."

Hight, the editor of The Sanford Herald, was appointed to the board of trustees by the Lee County Board of Commissioners and served two four-year terms, 2005-13. At the reception, he received a print by artist Jerry Miller depicting buildings at the college's campuses in Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties. He also received a certificate bestowing honorary membership in the college's chapter of the international Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Dr. Bud Marchant, CCCC president, credited Hight with advocating the idea of the college moving from having its own honor society to being a member of Phi Theta Kappa. The college's PTK chapter has been recognized for its excellence, recently receiving Five Star Level recognition.

In his remarks, Hight urged the board members, who are all political appointees, to keep politics out of their decisions and serve in the best interest of the college.

"I know you will do just that," he said, then added, "The success stories of our students are a heart-warming testimony to the many groups and individuals who have contributed their time and resources to see that our college remains the very best that it can be. May God bless each of you, and especially this college, its president, its faculty and staff, its students, and its many wonderful supporters."

Ophelia Livingston was appointed to the college's board of trustees in 2009 by the Lee County Board of Education. She is president of OWL Risk Management, in Sanford. Marchant presented Livingston with a copy of the Jerry Miller print and a set of Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center note cards, thanking her for her service to the college.

"Ophelia was always someone I could call on," Marchant said. "In addition to her regular board service, she co-chaired the 20/20 Vision Committee for the future of the Civic Center."

Livingston told the gathering that it had been an honor to serve as a trustee.

"My time spent as a board of trustees member for the college has been invaluable," she said. "I commend the leadership and vision of Dr. Bud Marchant and his excellent staff of instructors, as they move the college forward, helping students from all walks of life. When we educate our own, they grow and give back to the community."

Douglas Wilkinson Jr., the other retiring trustee from Lee County, was unable to attend the reception. He was first appointed to the board by Gov. Mike Easley in 2005 and reappointed in 2009 by Gov. Bev Perdue. Wilkinson is president of Wilkinson Cadillac Pontiac GMC, in Sanford. He is the second generation of his family to serve as a CCCC trustee. His father, Douglas Wilkinson Sr., was one of the college's founding trustees, serving from 1963 to 1984.

"The time I spent as a CCCC trustee has been some of the most rewarding of my career," Wilkinson said in an email to the college's Marketing Department. "What the college brings to so many young people is a great thing to behold. I think that under Dr. Marchant's leadership, the college has moved into the forefront of learning institutions."

He also noted that, while the education of the people is of utmost importance, the college has also had a "tremendous direct economic impact."

"With a budget in excess of $40 million, most of which comes from the state in the form of salaries to teaching positions, the direct dollars infused into the three county area is, in itself, an economic engine," Wilkinson said.

Also completing their terms on the board were Tracy Hanner and George Lucier, of Chatham County, and Tim McNeill, of Harnett County. They will be honored at future board meetings in their counties.

Julian Philpott, of Lee County, was unanimously re-elected by the 17-member board to serve as chair for the 2013-14 school year. He has served as a trustee since 2006 and as chair since 2011. Patrick Barnes, of Chatham County was sworn in for his second non-consecutive term on the board and was unanimously chosen to serve as vice-chair. He had previously served from 2005-2009, including a year as vice-chair.

For more information about CCCC and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.

CCCC Phi Beta Lambda among the best at nationals

Departing Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees members R.V. Hight (left) and Ophelia Livingston, both of Lee County, were honored at a reception prior to the board's July 24 meeting in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Hight, editor of The Sanford Herald, had served as a trustee since 2005 and Livingston, owner of OWL Risk Management, since 2009. Both show off the Jerry Miller prints of CCCC buildings they received. Departing trustee Douglas Wilkinson Jr., also of Lee County, president of Wilkinson Cadillac Pontiac GMC, was unable to attend the reception. He was first appointed by Gov. Mike Easley in 2005 and reappointed by Gov. Bev Perdue in 2009. Also completing their terms on the board were Tracy Hanner and George Lucier, of Chatham County, and Tim McNeill, of Harnett County. They will be honored at future board meetings in their counties. For more information about CCCC and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.

CCCC Phi Beta Lambda among the best at nationals

Departing Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees member Ophelia Livingston (left), of Lee County, was honored at the board's July 24 meeting in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Livingston, owner of OWL Risk Management, had served as a trustee since 2009. CCCC President Bud Marchant (right) presented her with a Jerry Miller print of college buildings. Departing trustee R.V. Hight, of Lee County, editor of the Sanford Herald, was also honored. He had served on the board since 2005. Departing trustee Douglas Wilkinson Jr., also of Lee County, and president of Wilkinson Cadillac Pontiac GMC, was unable to attend the reception. He was first appointed by Gov. Mike Easley in 2005 and reappointed by Gov. Bev Perdue in 2009. Also completing their terms on the board were Tracy Hanner and George Lucier, of Chatham County, and Tim McNeill, of Harnett County. They will be honored at future board meetings in their counties. For more information about CCCC and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.

CCCC Phi Beta Lambda among the best at nationals

Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant (right) presents departing college trustee R.V. Hight, of Lee County, with a Jerry Miller print of college buildings at the board's July 24 meeting in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Hight, editor of The Sanford Herald, had served on the board since 2005. Departing trustee Ophelia Livingston, also of Lee County, owner of OWL Risk Management, was also honored. She had served as a trustee since 2009. Departing trustee Douglas Wilkinson Jr., president of Wilkinson Cadillac Pontiac GMC, and also of Lee County, was unable to attend the presentation. He had served as a trustee since 2005. Also completing their terms on the board were Tracy Hanner and George Lucier, of Chatham County, and Tim McNeill, of Harnett County. They will be honored at future board meetings in their counties. For more information about CCCC and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.