SANFORD - Dr. Lisa M. Chapman was formally installed as the sixth president of Central Carolina Community College during a ceremony held on Thursday, Sept. 26, as part of a joint event combining the installation ceremony with the college's fall convocation.

"Dr. Chapman is a person who is led by her dreams and she inspires others to do the same thing," CCCC Board of Trustees Chairman Julian Philpott said as he introduced the new president. He noted that Dr. Chapman works to have people focus on their dreams and the positive things that will lead people where they need to go to accomplish great things and be the best they can possibly be.

The gathering at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic and Conference Center was a star-studded affair attended by state and local officials, as well as representatives and college presidents from the North Carolina Community College System.

One of the dignitaries was Peter Hans, President of the North Carolina Community College System, who led the statewide office where Dr. Chapman worked for five years as the Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Hans talked briefly about the joy the new president brings to her work and the passion she has for students and their success. "For this community and for this college," he said, "I could not be more proud of her and pleased for you."

Other college officials participating in the installation ceremony included CCCC Foundation Chair Lynda Turbeville, CCCC Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Jim Burgin, and Dr. Matt Garrett, who served as CCCC's fourth president from 2004 to 2008. Dr. Chapman's son, Brandon, provided special music.

Dr. Chapman's tenure as president represents a homecoming of sorts. Before serving with the North Carolina Community College System in Raleigh, she spent 27 years at CCCC, beginning as a Biology instructor before becoming chair of the Math and Science Department.

She then moved into administration as academic dean, Vice President of Academic Affairs and then Executive Vice President of Instruction, also serving in both of the latter positions as CCCC's Chief Academic Officer. She earned the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Science in Physiology from East Tennessee State University, and Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Chapman officially began her presidential duties on April 1, succeeding Dr. T. Eston "Bud" Marchant, who retired after 11 years as president.

Philpott administered the oath of office to Dr. Chapman, who stood on center stage surrounded by family, and presented a presidential medallion used in official college ceremonies to signify the position. Dr. Chapman then began walking toward the podium carrying a notebook with her prepared remarks before returning to her seat to leave the notebook behind.

"I'm just going to speak from my heart," she said before beginning with a story about meeting a thankful student at the local grocery store and mentioning several individuals and groups that have contributed to preparing her for this moment in her career and making the college a force for helping people thrive and enjoy richer lives.

"I told the college family when I first came six months ago ... that what we would be doing is taking care of family, taking care of our students and taking care of the community," she said. "I hope our community members are seeing we're taking care of our students and we're taking care of the community. It matters to us."

During the convocation portion of the event, several college employees were honored with awards. Among them were Gary Beasley (Lead Instructor for Laser and Photonics Technology) as 2019 Faculty Member of the Year and Scott Byington (Dean of Arts, Sciences and Advising) as 2019 Staff Member of the Year.

To learn more about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.