VGCC’s Longest-Serving Trustee Resigns; Board Learns Of Record Spring Enrollment
John K. Nelms of Oxford, who has served on the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees since 1973, announced Jan. 24 that he will step down from the board.
Nelms’ surprise announcement came at the semi-monthly meeting of the board, held at the new classroom building on the Warren County Campus in Warrenton.
Also at the meeting, the trustees learned that Spring Semester enrollment set a new record, and they toured the new building that has helped enrollment double at the Warren County Campus.
NELMS RESIGNATION
John Nelms said that, because of changes in family priorities, he has tendered his resignation from the board to Gov. Mike Easley. It will become effective as soon as the governor takes action.
Nelms was active in getting Granville County involved in support for, and the operation of, what was then Vance County Technical Institute. He served in an advisory capacity from Granville to the board until 1973, when he was named a trustee.
A member of the trustees’ Building Committee since 1971, he has been its chairman since July 2003. He has been instrumental in guiding the current major construction program, which has seen the addition of two new classroom buildings and the plans for two others on the college’s four campuses.
Nelms was vice-chairman of the board many years and served as its chairman from January 1999 until July 2003.
In making his announcement, Nelms said, “I must express my sincere and deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve this fine institution for these many years. I couldn’t leave at a better time. The college is in great shape. ”
Nelms added, “Whenever I can be of help to Vance-Granville Community College and this board, please ask and you will get it.”
Chairman Donald C. Seifert Sr. said, “I cannot think of anyone who has had more impact on Vance-Granville Community College than John K. Nelms. It was largely due to your efforts that the college survived its bad times and that we now enjoy good times.”
SPRING ENROLLMENT
President Randy Parker told the board that initial enrollment in curriculum programs at Vance-Granville is 4,105 for Spring Semester 2005, currently in progress. That is an increase over the previous spring enrollment of 4,075 in 2004.
Also, a new record was set for curriculum enrollment at the Warren County Campus this spring. There ARE 295 curriculum students enrolled at the Warrenton satellite, compared to a previous high of 188, representing a 150 percent increase.
“A great deal of this is due to the opening of the new classroom building here this semester,” Parker said. “Warren County students are now able to take classes they need on the Warren Campus instead of having to commute to the main campus in Vance County. This saves them a lot of time and cost .”
Veronica Young, Warren Campus director, gave the trustees a tour of the new facility, which houses several computer labs, a Nursing Assistant lab, general classrooms and a Learning Resource Center/open computer lab. The trustees observed numerous classes in session during their tour of the 15,212 square-foot facility.
OTHER CONSTRUCTION
Building Committee Chairman Nelms reported that the building pad is in and footings are being dug for the 16,880 square-foot, two-story classroom building under construction as the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg.
The parking lot has been cut, and stone has been laid on a new road bed the Franklin Campus. A majority of the underground work should be completed this month, Nelms said. This building is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
Construction plans for a 20,000 square-foot, two-story expansion to the South C ampus between Butner and Creedmoor have been delayed, but are now in the State Construction Office, Nelms added. This project is scheduled to be put out for bids in early March, with construction to begin soon after.
