Highlights from the 2004 North Carolina Community College Conference

In concert with this year’s North Carolina Community College Conference, NCCCFA conducted its 6th Annual Meeting during a luncheon at Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro on Monday, 11 October 2004.

See photos from the conference...

VIP Guests

In what has become a tradition, NCCCS President H. Martin Lancaster joined NCCCFA at the luncheon. He spoke briefly, commending our accomplishments since NCCCFA’s first annual meeting in 1998 and reiterating the need to remain vigilant next year in Raleigh over funding for community colleges in the Legislature’s budget.

This summer, as part of its budget, the Legislature gave community college faculty and professional staff an extra 2 percent raise over that given to other state employees. Additionally, the Legislature placed a floor, based on educational level, under the salaries of the lowest-paid faculty. In next year’s budget, the State Board of Community Colleges will ask the Legislature to continue raising faculty and professional staff salaries in order to reach the national average in the next four years.

Acknowledging the quality and scope of the NCCCS and the positive effect its academic programs and workforce training have on the welfare of our communities, keynote speaker Dr. T. J. Bryan, Chancellor, Fayetteville State University, focused her remarks on the imperative of open communication and partnership among educational institutions.

Hail and Farewell

NCCCFA President Don Wildman presented his farewell address to the membership and, in recognition of Don’s many contributions, Cliff Mitchell, outgoing VP of External Affairs, presented a plaque of appreciation.

In his farewell speech, NCCCFA President Don Wildman summarized the accomplishments of the association over the last two years. He noted that in addition to its lobbying efforts at the legislature, the organization is sponsoring three $1000 scholarships for needy students, three scholarships for faculty to attend the Great Teachers Retreat, and grants to faculty for innovative teaching ideas. The organization is also working in conjunction with the System Office on professional development opportunities for both faculty and staff.

New Executive Board of Directors

With election results tabulated, Ann Russell, Eastern Regional Director, announced and swore in NCCCFA’s new Executive Board officers:

• President – Cliff Mitchell (History/College Transfer, Johnston CC)
• VP of External Affairs – Jim Wetterau (Computer Information Systems, Wake Technical CC)
• VP of Communication – Joe Marohl (Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences, Wake Technical CC)
• Central Regional Director – Steven Hill (Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences, Wake Technical CC)
• Western Regional Director – Larry Shook (Arts/Sciences, Mayland CC)

Incoming President Cliff Mitchell emphasized his commitment to continue the campaign to raise faculty salaries to the national average.

Thanks and Appreciation

NCCCFA extends a special thank you to the following, whose time and energies kept the NCCCFA booth open and busy in membership recruitment and merchandise sales for the duration of the 2004 Conference: Roddy Akbari, Susan Barnes, Sue Dick, Julie Eldridge, Maureen Hill, Steven Hill, Doresa Ibrahim, Jeanette Kiem, LaNita Kirby, Betty Kittner, Barbara Morrison, Tina Ntuen, Bryan Ryan, Larry Shook, Paul Whittington, and Steve Withrow.

To the many others who helped with conference activities but whose names are not listed here, thank you all. Thanks also to the many who signed up to work with NCCCFA during the coming year.

Welcome to the 250-plus faculty who joined NCCCFA or renewed membership during the conference

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