Top 10 Stories for 2021 at Robeson Community College

The year 2021 has been an unforgettable year for all of us at Robeson Community College. From drive-thru graduations to COVID vaccination clinics, 2021 has been an eventful year. Below we list some of the most talked about stories on the RCC Campus this year.

#1 – Robeson Community College slated to receive $20.5 million dollars

In the recent budget passed by the State of North Carolina, legislatures made a major investment in community colleges. That included a monumental investment to Robeson Community College, which was generously granted 19.1 million for a new workforce development building and an additional 1.4 million for the purchase of a generator. This allocation of funds for a new building at a community college set a new precedent.

This legislation was passed due to the collaboration between Senator Danny Britt and Representatives Charles Graham and Brenden Jones.

RCC President Melissa Singler, left, stands with NC Representative Charles Graham, North Carolina Community College System President Thomas Stith, and NC Senator Britt Jackson.

View photos our visit with NCCCS President Thomas Stith, Senator Britt Jackson, and NC Rep Charles Graham: https://www.facebook.com/RobesonCC/posts/10159909441758459

#2 – RCC makes headlines at CNN and across the country!

Robeson Community College hosted a joint COVID/Flu Vaccination clinic on Wednesday, September 15 in partnership with Walgreens. The clinic was held at RCC because as President Singler stated, “We felt holding a joint vaccination clinic for both COVID-19 and the flu was the right thing to do” in helping to protect our campus and community at large.

Robeson Community College is designated as a COVID Champion College by the White House and the United States Department of Education. To date, RCC has assisted in getting more than 250 shots of the COVID vaccine in the arms of students, faculty, staff, and community members.

The story by CNN was picked up by media outlets around the nation including Action News Now in California, WTHI in Indiana, Eerie News Now in Pennsylvania, KITV in Hawaii, WCVB in Massachusetts, WAPT in Mississippi, WLWT in Ohio, KCCI in Iowa, KTEN in Texas, KMBC in Missouri, and the Gwinnette Daily Post in Georgia.

Robeson Community College President Melissa Singler receives the flu vaccination during the joint Covid-19/flu clinic held at the college.

Read the story here: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/21/health/flu-shots-covid-schools-wellness/index.html

#3 – The City of Lumberton donates a fire truck to RCC

The City of Lumberton generously donated a fire truck to Robeson Community College in August. A ceremony was held to celebrate the amazing gift to the RCC fire and rescue program. The fire truck was retired after 29 years of service, receiving a water salute, before the keys were finally transferred over to the college.

From left to right, Steven Hunt, former Vice President of Continuing Education, Mayor Bruce Davis, RCC President Melissa Singler, Interim Fire Chief Chris West, and Robert Ivey, Director of Fire and Rescue at RCC.

View more photos from the event here: https://www.facebook.com/RobesonCC/posts/10159686720633459

#4 – Basketball Legends Play in RCC Golf Tournament that raised more than $50,000

Basketball Legends Dereck Whittenburg and Al Wood were in attendance at RCC Foundation’s 37th Anniversary Clifford Bullard Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on Thursday, October 14 at Pinecrest Golf Course in Lumberton and raised over $50,000. This was a 17.5% increase over the previous year in which the college raised just over $44,000 with its tournament in 2020. Since the beginning of the tournament in 1984, the RCC Foundation has raised a little over $650,000.

Read more about this story at the links below:

https://www.robesonian.com/sports/150668/whittenburg-wood-play-for-a-cause

https://www.robesonian.com/sports/150587/whittenburg-wood-to-play-in-rcc-foundations-clifford-bullard-memorial-golf-tournament

View photos from the event here: https://www.facebook.com/RobesonCC/posts/10159871234163459

# 5 – RCC receives $24,000 from Julian T. Pierce Memorial Initiative

The RCC Foundation received a $24,000 gift from the Julian T. Pierce Memorial Initiative on Thursday, October 28. The money donated will go towards scholarships for students, in continuing the legacy of Julian T. Pierce to support education and equality for all people.

The memorial dinner was started by Lumbee Tribal Chairman, Harvey Godwin, who served as the campaign manager for Pierce during his run for Superior Judge, as a way to honor the man, whom many would attest had made such a difference in his community.

Read more about this story at the links below:

https://www.robesonian.com/uncategorized/151124/robeson-community-college-receives-24000-donation-from-julian-t-pierce-memorial-initiative

https://fb.watch/8-PjXqCZbX/

# 6 –Battle of the Butts Competition turned Fundraiser raised $12,000

In the Battle of the Butts competition held in February 2021, culinary students fought for the title of who could develop the best Southern Style pulled pork rub and barbeque sauce. Twenty-four students accepted the challenge, and their peers and instructors narrowed it down to the top two contenders, Adam Rugg and Nathanial Jordan.

The rub and sauce were then used in the barbeque plate fundraiser.

Culinary students prepared hundreds of plates of barbeque for a fundraiser that raised $12,000 for RCC programs and Community in Schools of Robeson County.

# 7 – NC Board of Nursing Approves RCC’s LPN Program Expansion Request

The North Carolina Board of Nursing approved the enrollment expansion of the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Robeson Community College in 2021. The enrollment will be allowed to increase by 24 for a total enrollment of 48 students beginning January 2022.

The last nursing expansion approved was in 2019 when the Associate Degree Nursing program was increased by 38 students.

Students performing nursing procedures

# 8 – RCC receives Congressional visit from US Representative Dan Bishop

Dan Bishop, U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 9^th Congressional District, visited Robeson Community College in August. During his visit, Bishop took a test drive of RCC’s new Defensivie Driving Simulator and also participated in a lesson on de-escalation simulators designed for law enforcement officers. He also had a chance to speak with nursing students who were preparing for the front lines of COVID-19 and took his first look at the college’s paramedic program and the new building that opens in 2022 for the program.

US Congressman Dan Bishop takes a test drive at Robeson Community College in the new driving simulators for law enforcement officers.

View photos of the the Congressman’s visit here: https://www.facebook.com/RobesonCC/posts/10159724297258459

#9 – Made in Robeson Day Returns

Robeson Community College brought back Made in Robeson Day in 2021 after a 2-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The event, which celebrates National Manufacturing Month, showcased manufacturing companies in Robeson County and gave students and community members an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what Robeson County has to offer and the training available at Robeson Community College. The event was held in conjunction with a job fair and joint COVID/flu vaccination clinic.

Read more about this story at the links below:

https://www.robesonian.com/news/150017/made-in-robeson-returns-to-rcc-oct-15

https://www.robesonian.com/news/150788/rcc-displays-whats-made-in-robeson

View photos from the event here: https://www.facebook.com/RobesonCC/posts/10159814465608459

#10 – Cosmetology Salon at RCC reopens

Students and community members were able to say goodbye to bad hair days in June when the RCC Salon reopened. It had previously been closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. During the closure the salon had a makeover of its own and was completely renovated and retrofitted giving it a more modern look. The salon celebrated with a Grand Re-opening celebration in June.