Burr Visits VGCC Franklin Campus

U.S. Senator Richard Burr toured Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus near Louisburg on Oct. 7.

Burr, accompanied by Betty Jo Shepheard from his staff, had just come from the Novozymes facility near Franklinton, which has partnered with VGCC to develop industry training programs and to equip the Biotechnology lab at the Franklin Campus . VGCC President Randy Parker and other college officials talked with Burr about that partnership and others, including joint efforts with hospitals and the Early College high school programs in conjunction with local public schools. Other topics of discussion included federal financial aid, the college’s economic development programs and plans for VGCC’s future growth.

Parker and Franklin Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May led the North Carolina senator on a tour of the campus, including the Biotechnology lab, the library and the VNet classroom, which uses audiovisual technology and fiber-optic cable to allow students at one campus to learn from an instructor on another campus in real time.

Above: U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (center) talks with Bioprocess Technology Coordinator/Instructor Julie Kinlaw (right) in the Biotechnology lab on VGCC’s Franklin County Campus, as VGCC President Randy Parker and (in back) Director of Economic and Workforce Development Garland Elliott listen. (VGCC photo)