VGCC concludes 40th Anniversary Celebration with Festival

Public events celebrating the 40th anniversary of Vance-Granville Community College came to a festive end on Saturday, Oct. 10 with the “Festival for the 40th” on the college’s main campus.

The four-hour event had a little something for everyone: music, food, games and activities for children and information on VGCC history.

VGCC President Randy Parker offered words of welcome before the Vance-Granville Community Band, a combination of students and interested citizens from throughout the four-county area served by the college, presented an outdoor concert at the Gazebo. Other bands performing included jazz group ELM Collective and the bluegrass band Grass Street.

A display in Building 8 offered information and photographs that told some of the history of VGCC, which was established in 1969 as Vance County Technical Institute. Artwork by children from the VGCC Day Care Center was also on display in Building 8.

Another highlight was an entertaining fashion show, entitled “The Way We Wore,” in which VGCC students modeled clothing and hairstyles from the past four decades. A presentation of music and images represented each period accompanied the student models. The fashion show was prepared by students in the college’s History Society, with hairstyling assistance from VGCC Cosmetology students.

A Chili Cook-off was held, in which VGCC Culinary Technology students prepared their best chili recipes, which were then sampled by four judges, VGCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Angela Ballentine, Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May, Warren County Campus Dean George A. Henderson and South Campus Dean Cecilia Wheeler. The judges chose Roy Talley of Warren County as the winner. Other contestants included Marcus Lemay, N.G. Collins and Camille Stokes.

Above: VGCC students modeled fashions from the past 40 years as part of the college’s Festival for the 40th on Oct. 10. (VGCC photo)