RCC Honors Academic Excellence Award Recipients
LUMBERTON, NC (June 2009) —Economists are projecting that the job market for recent college graduates is not looking positive, but for RCC graduates Kip C. Locklear and Henry (Dan) Cooper, III, their futures have never looked brighter. In addition to completing the requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree, these two outstanding students, who were once displaced textile workers, are recipients of the 2009 North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award.
The Academic Excellence Award is a prestigious award initiated by the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. Every year, two students are chosen from each community college to receive the award. The college chooses the recipients based on academic achievement as well as community service and leadership activities.
During the May RCC Board of Trustees monthly meeting, both Locklear and Cooper were recognized for their achievement. Dr. Chrestman presented the awardees a plaque, medallion, and a personal letter of congratulations from System President, Dr. R Scott Ralls. In years past, the Academic Excellence Award recipients were recognized, along with the other 114 community college students, at a luncheon at the Raleigh North Hilton, but due to budget cuts, President Ralls has asked that each school honor their chosen academic achievers.
For many displaced workers, college is not a viable option, but for some it is the only solution for obtaining skills in hopes of lucrative employment. It takes skill and guts to start over. And it takes honesty, figuring out exactly what you're good at, how much time you can devote to studies.
Returning to the classroom was not an easy undertaking for Locklear, but once he made the decision to attend RCC, he soon settled into student life and became a model student in the Computer Information Technology program.
Business Instructor Michael Jacobs admires Locklear’s determination to excel academically.
“Kip is a student who really cares about his education. He always wanted more than a grade from the course. He also wanted content and understanding. Students like him are the reason I am teaching today”, says Jacobs.
Despite the bleak job outlook for college graduates, Locklear feels that his associate degree will provide him a competitive edge as he seeks employment in the computer technology field.
“The instructors at RCC helped me build my self-confidence in the classroom. As graduating students we represent a lot of people once we leave the College. I hope that we have made them proud”, says Locklear.
Cooper entered the textile workforce immediately after high school graduation and enjoyed a good career until the company closed its operations due to trade laws and global marketing. Cooper realized that he needed to return to school for retraining and to learn additional skills to be competitive in the industrial technology market.
“The Industrial System Technology faculty members are some of the most knowledgeable and professional individuals I’ve ever had the chance to work with. As I begin to look for job opportunities, I know the skills that I have obtained from RCC will make me more marketable and better equipped to find gainful employment with a highly reputable company”, says Cooper.
The 2009 Academic Excellence Award students are being featured on a website devoted to the winners: http://www.ncommunitycolleges.edu/successstories/AEA/. On this site, the public can view photos of the students, and read stories chronicling their academic success and community college experiences.
Governor Purdue has issued a proclamation designating April 2009 as North Carolina Community college Academic Excellence Month.
