SANFORD — Three Central Carolina Community College employees were honored for outstanding service at the college’s annual Circle of Excellence Awards program April 19 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.
College employees gathered from the campuses and centers in Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties to recognize three of their peers for exemplary service to the students and the college: Carl Bryan, Social Science and Wellness Department chair and physical education instructor; Haley Thomas, Enrollment Services coordinator; and Cristian Wood, secretary.
Each received an award plaque, a $500 check from the business sponsor of the award, and a reserved parking place on campus for the next year. The three are now the newest additions to the college’s prestigious Circle of Excellence. Their names will be engraved on the permanent Circle of Excellence wall plaque at the college’s Lee County Campus.
“They are fine examples of what Central Carolina Community College is all about,” said CCCC President Bud Marchant. “We are so proud of them — it’s hard to make a big enough deal out of it.”
Carl Bryan, of Sanford, received the 2010 Instructor of the Year award. Bryan was praised for being student-focused and working hard for student success.
“I am stunned, amazed at receiving this award,” Bryan told the gathering. “I feel blessed to work here.”
Bryan has been with the college since 1992, serving as a physical education and humanities instructor and now as a department chair. He credited his parents as the two best teachers he could think of. He said his mother taught him the value of education and his father set an example of excellence and hard work.
Ray Womble, sales representative for Wilkinson Automotive, Inc., in Sanford, presented the award check to Bryan.
Bryan will now compete for the North Carolina Community College System’s Excellence in Teaching Award against instructors of the year chosen by the state’s other 57 community colleges.
Haley Thomas, of Sanford, received the Administrative and Supervisory Staff Employee of the Year Award. Her versatility and her expert skills with Datatel software were noted.
“This is truly an honor,” said Thomas, who has been an employee of the college for five years. She earned her Associate in Arts degree from the college and is continuing her education in social work through N.C. State University.
Bill Wilson, a partner in Wilson and Reives Attorneys, presented the $500 check to her from the partnership, which sponsors the award.
Cristian Wood, of Sanford, was honored as the Operational and Support Staff Employee of the Year. She is the secretary for the nursing, veterinary medical, medical assisting, and guided studies programs. Fifteen employees nominated her, citing, among her other qualities, that she always wanted to do more. Wood is a graduate of the college and has worked for it for three years.
“Thank you all very much for this award,” Wood told her fellow employees. “It is greatly appreciated and I am truly honored.”
Michael Daly, vice president for Business Services at BB&T, in Sanford, presented her a $500 check from the company.
During the event, Marchant called Wilson forward a second time to recognize him for his dedicated service to the college as a trustee for 16 years — and counting. The president also recognized Phyllis Huff, senior director for Adult and Extension Education, for 35 years of service to the institution.
Marchant also presented longevity certificates and pins to employees who have worked at the college five, 10, 15, or 20 years. Recipients, by county, were:
Chatham County Campus and centers:
10 years — Angela Leonti; and five years — Joyce B. Thomas, Ramona Leftwich, Sue Boyd, and Bernard Hasty.
Harnett County Campus and centers: 20 years — Nancy Blackman; 15 years — Mary Walker; 10 years — Ed Taylor; and five years — George Papageorgiou, Jackie Hearn and Nancy Guy.
Lee County Campus and centers: 20 years — Lisa Duncan and Doris Dowdy; 15 years — Hazel Tysor, Charlotte Baggett, Doug Smith, Jerry Smith, and Mary Holder; 10 years — Ken McLamb, Vivian Simpson, Sue Tipton, Jim Wright, Jim Felton, Ron Measamer, Ben Johnson, Mary Ellen O’Shields, and Melanie Yarborough; and 5 years — B.J. Thompson, Amanda Carter, Judy Farmer, Kassandra Lyles, Christa Mashburn, Jesse Jasso, Bianka Stumpf, Cathy Swindell, Karen Brown, Dwight Hollingsworth, Latasha McIver, David Flatley, and Emily Shepard.