North Carolina Community Colleges Celebrate Academic Excellence at Annual Awards Dinner
On April 7, 2025, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), alongside the State Board and the Foundation, hosted a prestigious awards dinner at The Umstead Hotel in Cary to celebrate exemplary achievements among students, faculty, and partners within the state's network of community colleges. This significant event brought together nearly 230 distinguished guests to acknowledge the exceptional academic and operational successes that drive workforce development in North Carolina.
The evening's proceedings were skillfully emceed by Jacqueline Matter, a respected FOX5 DC Anchor and former Miss North Carolina International. The dinner featured various award categories, including the Spirit Awards, Faculty and Staff Awards, and the Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards, which together highlighted the vital role that community colleges play in shaping educational excellence and career readiness across the region.
Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the NCCCS, expressed the significance of the event, stating, "Tonight, we celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty, staff, and industry partners essential to our communities' growth and success. Community colleges are at the heart of workforce development in our state, and recognizing the contributions of all award recipients is a privilege."
Honoring Excellence
The Spirit Awards, named in tribute to pioneers in North Carolina’s community colleges—Dr. W. Dallas Herring and Dr. I.E. Ready—served as a fitting commencement for the evening. Mr. Donny Hicks, Chair of the Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting community colleges, which cater to nearly 600,000 students in the state. He urged attendees to show national leadership in recognizing and uplifting community college students.
Before the award ceremony, each institution awarded an Academic Excellence Award, the highest honor bestowed on students across the system. Among recipients, Kyle Harris from Vance-Granville Community College stood out, receiving the Dallas Herring Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions. Furthermore, the I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dr. Dale McInnis, the former president of Richmond Community College, acknowledging his monumental impact on the community college landscape.
Resilience in Community Colleges
The event also included a poignant tribute to Hurricane Helene, spotlighting the resilience of the 14 western community colleges affected by the storm. Student Stephanie White from Blue Ridge Community College shared her harrowing experience during the disaster and how the college provided essential support during her time of need, showcasing the community's strength and unity.
Recognizing Faculty and Staff
The Faculty and Staff Awards honored individuals who have significantly enhanced their colleges and improved the educational system at large. The Excellence in Teaching Award was conferred upon Dr. Lisa Smelser, Biotechnology Chair at Central Carolina Community College, while Denise Young, Director of Apprenticeships at Southeastern Community College, was named Staff Person of the Year. Dr. Shelley White from Haywood Community College was celebrated as President of the Year, highlighting the important contributions of leadership in community education.
Workforce Development Recognition
The Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards segment recognized businesses that have excelled in supporting educational initiatives and workforce training in collaboration with community colleges. Mr. Tom Looney, Chair of the NC State Board of Community Colleges, stressed the necessity of agile partnerships that respond swiftly to workforce demands and innovations. Notable awards included the Apprenticeship Champion Award to Blum, Inc. with Central Piedmont Community College and the Business of the Year Award to Novo Nordisk with Johnston Community College, both underscoring the significance of collaboration between education and industry sectors.
Celebrating Talent
Adding to the night's celebratory atmosphere, the Sandhills Community College Choir and talented students from Durham Tech showcased their skills, reinforcing the depth of talent nurtured within the North Carolina community college system. Culinary students from Wake Tech created artisanal chocolates as thoughtful favors for attendees, while Catawba Valley Community College students crafted eyeglass cleaning cloths, emphasizing the innovation fostered within these educational institutions.
The event concluded with heartfelt acknowledgments to all sponsors and supporters who contributed to the celebration's success. As highlighted during the evening, the North Carolina Community Colleges continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of education, improving workforce readiness, and fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment across the state. The Foundation looks forward to leading initiatives that will further promote educational excellence and enhance community development in North Carolina.
For further details and video highlights of the award presentations, attendees and interested parties can visit the NCCCS website to view a complete list of awardees and celebratory moments captured during the event.
The evening's proceedings were skillfully emceed by Jacqueline Matter, a respected FOX5 DC Anchor and former Miss North Carolina International. The dinner featured various award categories, including the Spirit Awards, Faculty and Staff Awards, and the Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards, which together highlighted the vital role that community colleges play in shaping educational excellence and career readiness across the region.
Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the NCCCS, expressed the significance of the event, stating, "Tonight, we celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty, staff, and industry partners essential to our communities' growth and success. Community colleges are at the heart of workforce development in our state, and recognizing the contributions of all award recipients is a privilege."
Honoring Excellence
The Spirit Awards, named in tribute to pioneers in North Carolina’s community colleges—Dr. W. Dallas Herring and Dr. I.E. Ready—served as a fitting commencement for the evening. Mr. Donny Hicks, Chair of the Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting community colleges, which cater to nearly 600,000 students in the state. He urged attendees to show national leadership in recognizing and uplifting community college students.
Before the award ceremony, each institution awarded an Academic Excellence Award, the highest honor bestowed on students across the system. Among recipients, Kyle Harris from Vance-Granville Community College stood out, receiving the Dallas Herring Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions. Furthermore, the I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dr. Dale McInnis, the former president of Richmond Community College, acknowledging his monumental impact on the community college landscape.
Resilience in Community Colleges
The event also included a poignant tribute to Hurricane Helene, spotlighting the resilience of the 14 western community colleges affected by the storm. Student Stephanie White from Blue Ridge Community College shared her harrowing experience during the disaster and how the college provided essential support during her time of need, showcasing the community's strength and unity.
Recognizing Faculty and Staff
The Faculty and Staff Awards honored individuals who have significantly enhanced their colleges and improved the educational system at large. The Excellence in Teaching Award was conferred upon Dr. Lisa Smelser, Biotechnology Chair at Central Carolina Community College, while Denise Young, Director of Apprenticeships at Southeastern Community College, was named Staff Person of the Year. Dr. Shelley White from Haywood Community College was celebrated as President of the Year, highlighting the important contributions of leadership in community education.
Workforce Development Recognition
The Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards segment recognized businesses that have excelled in supporting educational initiatives and workforce training in collaboration with community colleges. Mr. Tom Looney, Chair of the NC State Board of Community Colleges, stressed the necessity of agile partnerships that respond swiftly to workforce demands and innovations. Notable awards included the Apprenticeship Champion Award to Blum, Inc. with Central Piedmont Community College and the Business of the Year Award to Novo Nordisk with Johnston Community College, both underscoring the significance of collaboration between education and industry sectors.
Celebrating Talent
Adding to the night's celebratory atmosphere, the Sandhills Community College Choir and talented students from Durham Tech showcased their skills, reinforcing the depth of talent nurtured within the North Carolina community college system. Culinary students from Wake Tech created artisanal chocolates as thoughtful favors for attendees, while Catawba Valley Community College students crafted eyeglass cleaning cloths, emphasizing the innovation fostered within these educational institutions.
The event concluded with heartfelt acknowledgments to all sponsors and supporters who contributed to the celebration's success. As highlighted during the evening, the North Carolina Community Colleges continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of education, improving workforce readiness, and fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment across the state. The Foundation looks forward to leading initiatives that will further promote educational excellence and enhance community development in North Carolina.
For further details and video highlights of the award presentations, attendees and interested parties can visit the NCCCS website to view a complete list of awardees and celebratory moments captured during the event.
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