Foundation Announcements
Renee Collins named Vice President of RCC Foundation
Renee Collins is an accomplished professional with over 23 years of experience in marketing, sales, philanthropy, and event planning. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2001 with a degree in Business Marketing. Shortly after, she began her career at a local computer company, managing marketing, sales, payroll, and overseeing federal and state technology contracts with the local school system. In 2009, she transitioned to a role as Development Coordinator at Scotland Memorial Foundation, where she discovered a passion for fundraising and event planning, particularly for healthcare initiatives supporting cancer, heart health, diabetes, support groups, and community screenings. This experience cemented her commitment to a career in philanthropy. In 2017, Collins joined Southeastern Health Foundation (now UNC Health Southeastern Foundation) as a Project Specialist. During her time at both Scotland and Southeastern Foundations, she played a key role in expanding events, including galas, golf tournaments, and community health events for women, men, and diabetes awareness. She also coordinated scholarship programs, employee campaigns, capital campaigns, donor cultivation, and giving clubs. Additionally, she was instrumental in establishing a Catastrophic Assistance Fund to support employees during times of need. Collins’s career in philanthropy is driven by her commitment to building meaningful community relationships and fostering initiatives that create positive, lasting impacts for future generations. Her work embodies her dedication to strengthening her community and promoting philanthropic growth.
“In Robeson County, we have a unique opportunity to accept a challenge to help bring about change and create a stronger workforce through education,” Collins said. “We have many in our population that cannot afford to go to college, but through the RCC Foundation, our friends, benefactors, and donors have the ability to help others, assisting them with their educational pursuits, to receive the training they need to be successful.” “Through the RCC Foundation, our community can help raise money for students in our community who seek a better life through education, which ultimately creates a better quality of life for everyone,” Collins said. “I’ve seen first-hand how RCC can help transform lives and change the trajectory of families for generations.”
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of students at Robeson Community College through your time, talents or treasures, please feel free to reach out to Renee. She can be reached at 910-272-3334 or rcollins@robeson.edu.
WOMEN’S GROUP GIVES BACK, PAYING IT FORWARD FOR STUDENTS
LUMBERTON — A local women’s group, 4×4 Perfect Timing, is giving back by paying it forward for students at Robeson Community College.
The organization recently donated $500 to the RCC Foundation to create a scholarship for young women.
“We decided as college-educated women to provide an opportunity for young women on an annual basis to help with paying for books, tuition and to help her in her college journey,” stated Valerie Comrie, one of the founders of the organization. “We all understand how difficult college can be and we wanted to help someone else. It can be very difficult to find help these days, and we thought the best way to use our resources was to come together and provide this scholarship for a young woman in need.”
Her daughter, Sabrina Comrie, who serves as the leader of the association, echoes those sentiments.
“We wanted to help empower and inspire young women of color,” Sabrina Comrie said. “This is our opportunity to give a helping hand. There are a lot of stressors in life, but finding money for college shouldn’t be the biggest stress a young woman has… this is a small part of the solution.”
“It is extremely rewarding for us to have this opportunity to do something for someone else,” Valerie added.
The RCC Foundation is thankful for the donation, saying this will help a student achieve their dreams of becoming a college graduate.
“This scholarship will help cover a portion of the costs of attending Robeson Community College and will help supplement other financial aid allowing a student to attend class and buy the necessary supplies required for their program of study,” stated Lisa Hunt, the assistant vice president of grants and foundation at RCC. “We are so appreciative of 4×4 Perfect Timing and their generosity, thought, and consideration of our students and their desire to help pay it forward to others.”
ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED AT ROBESON COMMUNITY COLLEGE HONORS FORMER COLUMBUS COUNTY TEACHER
ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An endowment has been established at Robeson Community College in honor of Christopher Walker, an English Instructor who died in 2022 at the age of 35.
In 2018, Walker was recognized as WWAY’s “Teacher of the Week” when he taught Language Arts and Social Studies at Acme Delco Middle School in Columbus County.
“To know him, was to love him,” said Kim Spivey, Christopher Walker’s mom, during a private ceremony to honor her son on Monday, Jan. 30 at Robeson Community College. “If you did know him, I’m sure that he left a positive imprint.”
Walker was an English instructor at RCC, working there for almost two years before his sudden death. Even in a short period of time, his impact was profound.
“He was always leaving people with words of encouragement, no matter who they were or what their walk-in life was,” his mother said. “He always saw the glass as half full no matter what.”
To honor Walker, Spivey established an endowment in his name through the RCC Foundation, giving $10,750 to support students seeking a better life through education.
“This is an opportunity for Christopher’s love for education and desire to make a difference in the lives of young people to continue on,” Spivey said. “He saw things through a different lens and was never satisfied with the status quo. He always searched for a deeper meaning and it was always his desire and goal in life to make a difference.”
The endowment established will be used towards supporting scholarships for those in financial need who are first-generation college students and who are working a job to support themselves and pay for their education.Full Story.
RCC FOUNDATION UNVEILS VETERAN’S WALL OF HONOR
LUMBERTON — The Robeson Community College Foundation unveiled its Veteran’s Wall of Honor Friday during a special tribute featuring the Lumbee Warriors and the Robeson County Honor Guard.
RCC President Melissa Singler welcomed everyone to the event.
“We are so excited to see everyone come out today to honor our nation’s finest,” Singler said. “Thank you for joining us, this is a great day for Robeson Community College and for our active-duty military students, our veterans, and our military families, and I am just so happy that we are able to celebrate the highly anticipated unveiling of the Veterans Wall of Honor today.”
The ceremony began outside with retired Master Sgt. Raymond Hunt and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Deese raising the flag representing all branches of the military. The flag was donated by the Lumbee Warriors to the college and the flagpoles were donated by Woodman Life.
Councilman Eric Chavis sang the National Anthem, followed by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Lofton who spoke on “what the flag means.”
Heather Seibles, the donor and major gift specialist, organized the event and told those gathered that the RCC Foundation had exceeded all expectations in raising funds for the newly established scholarship for military-affiliated students.
“The scholarship had now been fully endowed,” Seibles announced as applause erupted. “But this will be an ongoing endeavor; we still have over 500 slots available for purchase on the Veterans Wall of Honor.”
RCC Instructor and SPC Sherry Lofton with the DAVA Unit 7 announced the winner of the 2022 RCC Veteran’s Day Writing Contest.
“There were so many great submissions,” Lofton said. “The DAVA members actually judge the writings and they had a really hard time this year picking a winner, so we are going to recognize the winner and several honorable mentions…I was so proud to get such writings from our students.”
The winner of the contest was Ellie Baker, the wife of a veteran, who wrote the poem “Veterans’ Isolation.”
“The family gathers, but where are you, isolated in your room… isolated from your family, not a smile on your face,” Baker read aloud. “You cannot find a way to forget your plight, the wall that you have, that kept your loved ones out… try to push through it, love surrounds you every day… we are here to support you, for we know how…isolation go away, let him have peace and enjoy being home.”
Teddie McCain, Regina Walters, Jessica Perez-Rojas, and Roger Williams were recognized for their submissions and received a certificate for honorable mention.
MSG Walter Smith, Quartermaster with the VFW Post 8969 made a tribute to fallen soldiers, followed by a 21-gun salute and playing of Taps by the Robeson County Honor Guard, ending with the grand reveal of the Veterans Wall of Honor.
“Get your cameras ready, there can only be one unveiling,” Singler said with excitement as she got ready to pull the curtain down.
It only took a few seconds for the Veterans Wall of Honor to be uncovered, but once it was visible, everyone started looking for the names of loved ones.
The wall features all six branches of government – the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, and the United States Space Force.
Giving levels for plaques on the Veterans Wall of Honor include $250 for white stripes, $500 for red stripes, $750 for middle red strips, and $1000 for stars. Donors can provide text for 2 lines per plate, 21 characters each.Story.
RCC FOUNDATION RECEIVES $25,000 GIFT FROM JULIAN T. PIERCE MEMORIAL INITIATIVE
The Robeson Community College Foundation has received a $25,000 gift from the Julian T. Pierce Memorial Initiative on Wednesday, December 14. The check was presented at theLegal Aid Office in Pembroke. The money donated will go towards scholarships for students, in continuing the legacy of Julian T. Pierce to “keep the vision” in supporting education and equality for all people. The donation was raised during the 9th Annual Julian T. Pierce Memorial Art Dinner held earlier this year.
“Julian T. Pierce had great vision and he wanted to continue to ‘balance the scales’ of justice for all” said Lisa Hunt, the assistant vice president of foundation and grants at RCC. “The money raised will help continue his legacy through students at RCC who receive scholarships in his name.”
Pierce was a lawyer and civil rights activists, fighting for equality for the Lumbee Tribe of which he was a member, and for all individuals. In 1988, he ran for Superior Court Judge, a new judgeship created by the North Carolina General Assembly for Robeson County. In March 1988, just a few weeks before the election, Pierce was tragically killed in his home. Pierce won the election that year, posthumously, by more than 2000 votes.
The memorial dinner was started by Harvey Godwin, the former Lumbee Tribal Chairman and owner of Two Hawk Employment Service. Godwin served as the campaign manager for Pierce during his run for Superior Court Judge, as a way to honor the man, whom many would attest had made such a difference in his community.
“Julian was an activist for all people,” said Hunt. “He believed in equality for everyone and advocated for others so they could have access to resources needed, whether that was education, legal assistance, or healthcare.”
“He really believed in the power of education,” Lisa said. “It is fitting for this scholarship to be in his name.”
Pierce left a lasting impact upon his community that can still felt to this day. For example, he was instrumental in integrating Robeson County’s schools into one school system to provide quality education for all. He founded the Lumbee River Legal Services and Robeson County Health Care Corporation, two organizations that still exist to this day and are in operation helping those in need.
“This Julian T. Pierce Memorial Art Dinner continues to grow each year, it is wonderful to see the support of the community towards this great cause and we are so thankful for everyone who has been a part in contributing to the success of this initiative,” said Hunt. “This gift received will assist in funding multiple scholarships to students in need, fulfilling Julian’s vision and legacy.”
To date, Robeson Community College has received more than $135,000 in scholarship funds from the Julian T. Pierce Memorial Initiative.
“Julian T. Pierce was remarkable man, and we are so honored to have an opportunity to pay it forward through this gift given to Robeson Community College in his name,” said RCC President Melissa Singler. “This money has helped students from all walks of life over the years and will continue to assist students in obtaining a quality education, as they pursue their hopes and dreams.”
“I believe that Julian would be proud to know of the difference he has made in the lives of so many through education at Robeson Community College,” Singler said. “We are so thankful for this donation and we are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Julian’s legacy.”
The 2022 Julian T. Pierce Memorial Art Dinner raised over $80,000 in support of scholarships. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where Pierce received his bachelor’s degree, received $25,000, and North Carolina Central University School of Law, the institution where Pierce earned his juris doctorate, was the recipient of $10,000.
ROBERT P. HOLDING FOUNDATION GIFTS RCC FOUNDATION $20,000
The Robeson Community College Foundation was recently given a $20,000 check from the Robert P. Holding Foundation, and was presented by First Citizens Bank.
This is the second donation that Robeson Community College has received from the organization. Last year the college received $30,000, bringing the total for the First Citizens Bank Endowed Scholarship to $50,000.
The endowment was established by the Robert P. Holding Foundation to support the programs of the North Carolina Community College System and to help provide scholarships to students in need to promote the education and welfare of the people of North Carolina.
ROBESON COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLEASED WITH FIRST-EVER TELETHON
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WPDE) —Robeson Community College Foundation held its first-ever telethon Tuesday on the National Day of Giving to raise money for the foundation.
Officials said the telethon raised $13,700.
“It feels amazing. The community support has been phenomenal. We are so fortunate,” said Lisa Hunt, the assistant vice president of foundation and grants.
The telethon raised money for the Military Affiliated Resource Center Scholarship and the Veterans Wall of Honor at the college.
“We are so delighted that so many people thought to support the RCC Foundation today for this worthy cause,” said Heather Seibles, donor & major gift specialist for the foundation.
The Military Affiliated Resource Center opened its doors in April.
The center “helps support student veterans as they work to achieve their academic goals. It also provides valuable information and resources from local veteran organizations, the federal government, and the Veterans Crisis Line. It will be a safe place where veterans can get away from distractions and focus on schoolwork.”
Officials said a new scholarship is being established to help military-affiliated students realize their dream of becoming a college graduate.
“Not all military-affiliated students have funding available to attend college,” said Hunt. “So, it is vital that we help secure scholarships for those who have served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force, and for their dependents.”
The telethon also benefited an endowment in honor and memory of fallen North Carolina Trooper Kevin Conner, which will go to support students in the Basic Law Enforcement program.
If you would like to donate to another worthy cause at Robeson Community College, you are still encouraged to participate in the telethon, no donation will be turned away.
You can also drop off your Giving Tuesday donation at the RCC Foundation Office which is located in Building 13. Donations can be made online atwww.robeson.edu, through the RCCFacebook pageor mailed to the attention of the RCC Foundation at PO Box 1420, Lumberton, NC 28359.Full Story.
