John M. Belk Endowment Visits Robeson Community College
Although clouds from Hurricane Ian hovered over Robeson Community College today, rays of sunshine were beaming as the John M. Belk Endowment visited the main campus in Lumberton.
Visiting from the John M. Belk Endowment were President and Board Chair, MC Belk Pilon; Chief of Staff Chuck Kaylor, joined by EdNC’s Director of Growth, Nation Hahn and its Director of Multimedia, Robert Kinlaw.
“The John M. Belk Endowment has done great things for the North Carolina Community College System, and we are so appreciative of the partnership and opportunity to showcase our college,” said RCC President Melissa Singler. “We are so thankful that they chose to tour our campus and meet our students.”
During the campus tour, the John M. Belk Foundation had an opportunity to speak with SkillsUSA winner Jonathan Gabino, who placed 1st in the Statewide competition and 4th in the Nationals, and members of the Robotics Club. They even got a chance to see the new robotic dog that arrived on campus earlier this year.
“The robot dog really helps us in mechatronics, it teaches us a lot,” Gabino told the foundation. “Robotic dogs can benefit people because they can do inspections, it can also keep people out of harm’s way… a robotic dog can be sent into situations that would be unsafe and risky to gather data or other type of information.”
The tour included a visit with nursing and radiography students in the Health Science building.
“We have a 100% employment rate for our graduates,” the Director of Nursing, Dr. Eve Meekins told the group. “We could easily produce 600 nursing graduates a year, we just don’t have the resources, but the demand is certainly there.”
As the foundation finished touring in Building 17, the new EMS simulator arrived on campus, just in time.
“You will be the first to see the simulator,” Eric Freeman, the vice president of continuing education, workforce development and institutional services said. “It just arrived, I haven’t even had a chance to see it yet, so this will be the first look for everyone.”
Before being delivered, the simulator was wrapped in a branded RCC design to increase awareness of the program and to help recruit more students.
“I think the design helps to make the simulator stand out, transforming it from a trailer to a unique learning resource that looks modern, cool, and fun,” stated Freeman as he showed the newest addition to the RCC EMS program. “It’s something we can all be proud of, and we hope our students will enjoy it.”
According to Kenny Locklear, the director of Emergency Medical Services at RCC, the simulator is only one of two in the United States.
“It is state-of-the-art, it features a full ambulance in the back, as well as tv screen / video capability, so that you can see on the outside what is happening on the inside,” Locklear said. “We are very fortunate to have this as a tool, so we can take our training to wherever it is needed.”
In addition, the John M. Belk Foundation had a chance to see the new, innovative Emergency Services Building, tour the newly designed truck for the CDL program, experience the new defensive driving and de-escalation simulators, take part in a panel discussion with leaders from RCC and Robeson County, and even got a ‘Taste of Robeson’ with a lunch served and prepared by RCC Culinary students.
“We love community colleges and we love seeing all of your amazingness,” Pilon stated. “Thank you for this opportunity, this is why we do, what we do.”
