Progress Energy continues tradition of supporting VGCC

Progress Energy recently presented a $5,000 contribution to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund. That brought the total donated by the company to VGCC over the past nine years to $48,750. The funds support VGCC scholarships as well as other projects. On Dec. 16, 2011, Progress Energy Community Relations Manager Tanya Evans presented the newest donation to college officials. Pictured, from left, are VGCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Endowment director Jo Anna Jones, Endowment Fund Board Vice-Chairman Bob Hubbard of Henderson, Evans, and VGCC Interim President Dr. Angela Ballentine.

Progress Energy, the Fortune 500 power company based in Raleigh, is a longtime supporter of VGCC. The relationship between the college and the company goes back to Progress Energy’s predecessor organization, Carolina Power & Light, which also supported VGCC scholarships. After CP&L became Progress Energy, the new company started contributing to the VGCC Endowment Fund in December 2002, creating the Progress Energy Academic Achievement Scholarship. That was later upgraded to a Presidential Merit Award-level scholarship on March 1, 2006. The interest earned on Progress Energy’s contributions provides a scholarship to a VGCC student each year in perpetuity. In addition, the company has sponsored several annual (one-time, non-endowed) scholarships for students over the years. Progress Energy has also co-sponsored VGCC Endowment Fund golf tournaments and other events. In 2006, Progress Energy presented a $10,000 capacity building grant to VGCC to support the Endowment Fund’s growth.

Through the Endowment Fund and Scholarship Program, more than 6,000 scholarships have been awarded to VGCC students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff.