SANFORD - George Lucier, of Pittsboro, has been chosen by the Central Carolina Community College Foundation Board of Directors as the board's new president. The selection took place at the board's April 16 meeting. His term begins in July.

Lucier brings to the position valuable experience with both the college and within the community. He has served on the Foundation board since 2011 and as a CCCC trustee since 2009. He is former member of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners (2006-2010) and served as chair for two years and vice chair for two years. He is also a member of the N.C. Rules Review Commission.

Lucier expressed his pleasure that the Foundation board selected him for the position.

"My goal is to raise funds for the college in these times of austerity," Lucier said. "It is now especially important that the CCCC Foundation fund special projects that may not be possible without an active fundraising campaign."

Lucier holds a doctorate in agriculture from the University of Maryland School of Agriculture. He retired in 2000, having worked at the National Institutes of Health, in Research Triangle Park, for 31 years. He achieved international recognition for his research in toxicology and has published more than 250 scientific research articles in peer-reviewed scientific literature. He has been a resident of Chatham County for 39 years.

"The Foundation and the College are delighted with the board's selection," said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Celia Hurley. "Dr. Lucier's commitment to serve the college and community will strengthen fundraising efforts at a critical time for our institution."

At the April 16 meeting, the board also chose the following to serve or continue to serve as board officers: Vice President, Internal Relations Committee - Julian Philpott, of Sanford; Vice President, Activities Committee - Phil Bradley, of Sanford; Vice President, Resource Development Committee ---- Barber Holmes, of Pittsboro; Vice President, Board Development Committee - Del Jones, of Sanford; Vice President, Investment Committee - Brian Davis, of Sanford; Secretary - Lowell Rickard, of Sanford; Treasurer - Genease Fields, of Sanford; Member-at-Large, Chatham - Lou Bryd, of Pittsboro; and, Member-at-Large, Harnett - John Snipes, of Dunn. The Immediate Past President is Bill Milholen, of Siler City.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, Central Carolina Community College. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For information on giving to the Foundation, contact Emily Hare, CCCC Foundation and Development Director, 919-718-7230 or ehare@cccc.edu.